Public interest groups to discuss health effects of light and noise pollution
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hold the sixth evidence session of its inquiry into the effects of artificial light and noise on human health.
The Committee will hear from two panels of witnesses from public interest groups: first from Ruskin Hartley, CEO and Executive Director at the International Dark-Sky Association, and Emma Marrington, Landscape Enhancement Lead at CPRE, the Countryside Charity; second from John Stewart, Chair of the UK Noise Association and Lisa Lavia, Managing Director at the Noise Abatement Society.
The session will focus on the perspective from the public interest groups and campaigners on the issue of light and noise pollution in society, and whether current government policies are sufficient to deal with it. Members will explore proposals for policy reform, comparisons with what other countries are doing to address light and noise pollution and gaps in the existing policy and regulatory framework that might need addressing.
Meeting details
Possible question areas
- Is the “statutory nuisance” regime for light pollution effective, and can it be used against egregious offenders appropriately?
- Was the Government’s response to the 2009 Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report on artificial light at night was adequate?
- Are there significant gaps in the current regulatory framework for dealing with noise pollution?
- What are the major barriers to implementing better public policy on noise pollution in the UK?