On the occasion of this global event, the villages and residents of the unique RICE (International Dark-Sky Reserve) in the Southeast will turn off as much lighting as possible throughout the area, from the Mercantour National Park to the Préalpes d’Azur Regional Natural Park, including the Alpes d’Azur Community of Communes.
Plunged into darkness, the RICE aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of light pollution: significant impact on nocturnal biodiversity and human health, energy waste, and loss of night sky visibility.
This area, shared between the Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes de Haute-Provence departments, was certified at the end of 2019 by the International Dark-Sky Association for its commitment to combating light pollution. The municipalities that are part of the RICE have pledged to renovate their public lighting over a decade to reduce this still largely unknown pollution.
This widespread blackout aims to allow everyone to take the time to savor the beauty of the dark night, but also to highlight the energy challenges of village lighting.
Indeed, public lighting in France represents about 38% of a municipality’s electricity bill. The potential energy savings from a renovation are estimated between 50% and 80%. In this era of climate change, it is important to question this energy consumption and rediscover the night.
Considering that most of the French lighting infrastructure is over 25 years old and that only 3% to 5% is renovated each year, the RICE territory stands out. With an ambitious lighting management plan, 25% of the lighting installations in the area already meet energy and environmental expectations.
Through the RICE, four free evening and nighttime tours will be offered to the public on that evening: in Guillaumes, Puget-Théniers, Sigale, and Coursegoules.
