This spring,, Toronto Returns the switch – literally – with the aim of saving more than 25 million birds.
With millions of migratory birds should go through the city this season, the city of Toronto asks residents and businesses to die out unnecessary lights at night to avoid the collisions of fatal windows.
The Lights Out Toronto campaign, which works during migration The seasons from mid-March to early June and from mid-August to early November aim to make the city a safer stopover for birds.
“Night migratory birds are drawn by city lights in urban areas where they often collide with construction windows that they cannot see,” warns the campaign.
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Toronto sits on a main migration path of birds along Lake Ontario, making it a rest stop. But, according to the website of the Government of Canada, the collisions of windows kill 16 to 42 million birds each year by flying in the windows.
Lights lively in urban areas are harmless for us but can be fatal for these feathered animals, depending on the city.
However, there is a simple and effective solution.
Reducing light pollution is one of the simplest ways of Torontonians can help.
As part of the campaign, the city urges people to turn off the lights that are not for safety, to close the curtains at night if the lights are lit, to reduce decorative or atrium lighting and to jump stroboscopic lights when possible.
Many species of migratory birds in North America are already down due to loss of habitat, climate change, pesticides and construction collisions, according to the Toronto City website.
Organizations like Flap Canada (Fatal Light Awareness Program) say that window strikes are one of the main reasons why there are three billion less birds in the sky compared to 25 years ago.
Since 2006, the city has opened the way in policies adapted to birds by requiring that new developments use safer lighting and secure bird conceptions.
The campaign also advises to gently place an amazed bird in a box or paper bag with fabric and by contacting the Toronto Wildlife Center.
While the weather is starting to warm up in the summer preparation, the turning of a switch at night could be a brilliant idea. Whoever can help millions of birds find their way.
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