Let’s Protect Prague’s Nights: White light turns darkness into day
White LED streetlights are reshaping Prague’s nights – and not everyone is pleased. Around 12% of the city’s 138,000 public lights have already been changed, replacing the softer yellow glow of older sodium lamps. A new petition to “protect Prague’s nights” has emerged in response. Radio Prague International asked city councillor Kristýna Drápalová, an active supporter of the petition, why the shift has become so controversial for many residents.
“First of all, I believe that people are well aware of the negative effects of white light on their sleep quality. Especially at a time when an increasing number of people are struggling with sleep problems, the issue naturally becomes more important to them.
“What’s more, I think many people notice the change when their street is no longer illuminated by a beautiful orange glow but by white light – and they don’t like it. White light feels strangely technocratic and sterile. It creates the impression of being in a shopping mall rather than a night-time park or street. Warmer light is simply more pleasant.”
It is the “whiteness” of the light that is not only unpleasant but also scientifically proven to be unhealthy, as you mentioned in relation to sleep. What other impact does it have?
“It’s scientifically proven that white light disrupts the circadian rhythms of living organisms – whether humans, animals, insects, or trees. All living beings need darkness at night for undisturbed rest and sleep, in order to regenerate. White light disrupts this cycle, making it harder for us to regenerate and be healthy and well-rested.”
To push back against the growing shift to white light across Prague, a petition called Let’s Protect Prague’s Nights has been launched, gathering over 6,000 signatures in less than two weeks. What does it aim to achieve, and how did it come about?
“The aim of the petition is to have the issue of changes to public lighting added to the city assembly’s agenda, which requires at least 1,000 signatures from Prague residents. We have already surpassed that threshold, so we expect the topic to be included in the programme of the February meeting of the Prague City Assembly. There, we hope to reach a political agreement on some of the points raised in the petition – for example, to pause changes to Prague’s lighting until a conclusion is reached or a scientifically proven method is found that ensures no harm to public health.”
Supporters of the changes argue that LED lights, even though their light can be very white, are more energy efficient and comply with EU legislations. But are you opposed to the whole idea of having LED lights?
“The LED technology is not the problem at all. The problem is the quality and colour of the light.”
“No, no, no. The LED technology is not the problem at all. The problem is the quality and colour of the light. You can easily have warmer LED lights, but the problem is that Prague has not opted for the warmer shades of light, but for the white ones.”
So, this is something that you are hoping to discuss at the city assembly.
“Exactly. But there are also more issues linked to this topic. For example, how high up should the lamps be? They are usually very high in Prague and maybe they should be a bit lower to cause less harm to the trees and to people living in upper floors.
“In Prague, we skipped the phase of trying to reach a conclusion and to find a compromise.”
“We also discussed whether we really need to have thousands of lamps at the periphery of Prague and on the highways when you leave the city. Further away from Prague, in the countryside, there are no lamps, and the cars don’t crash. So maybe we don't need so many lights at all.”
An argument made for more lighting in the city, and for using white light, is safety. Do you think that is a valid argument? How would you respond?
“It's definitely a valid argument. We need to talk about safety. But I don't think that there is a simply conclusion that warmer light is less safe than white light. We can discuss it, but we need to have more research and data on the topic, and we also need to factor in that white light can harm trees and other aspects of the environment. The key is finding a balance. In Prague, we skipped the phase of trying to reach a conclusion and to find a compromise.”
As a city councillor, what is your role in the initiative?
“Last summer, I read an article by Táňa Zabloudilová for the media outlet Page Not Found about changes in public lighting. As an opposition member of the city assembly, I have long focused on the quality and cultivation of public space. That’s why I reached out to Táňa Zabloudilová to ask if she could connect me with the experts and activists who had voiced critical opinions in her article. I then contacted them and together we formed this initiative.
“I contribute to the project with project management skills and knowledge of Prague’s political environment and administrative processes, while others – like Hynek Medřický and Mikuláš Rubíček – bring extensive expertise on light, its effects, and its quality.”
