Light pollution awareness projects receive recognition and pilot testing

The ALANart project has been awarded the 2026 Optimus Agora Prize by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for its work in communicating the ecological impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN). The multidisciplinary project uses immersive art installations and public engagement to demonstrate how artificial lighting disrupts ecosystems and contributes to insect decline.

In Montpellier, France, the Art of Darkness project is conducting a pilot experiment at the Promenade du Peyrou. Running through September 21, the trial tests new lighting designed to highlight architectural heritage while respecting the night to benefit biodiversity. Montpellier is the only French city participating in this European initiative, which also includes Oulu, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Bologna, aiming to explore the aesthetic and sustainable values of darkness in urban planning.