Talk: For the Love of Darkness, and the Birds

For the Love of Darkness & Birds explores how artificial light at night endangers migratory birds and provides steps for communities to prevent these needless deaths. Since most North American birds migrate after dark, bright building lights can disorient them, often resulting in fatal collisions.

Highlighting how targeted actions—specifically turning off unnecessary lights during peak spring and fall migration—can dramatically reduce bird mortality. We will look at the relationship humans have with darkness as we go a bit beyond birds and explore how the widespread use of artificial light at night also affects the nocturnal environment, increases energy use and carbon emissions, compromises safety, disrupts ecosystems, harms human health, and diminishes our view of the universe.

Dr. Patty Giffin worked in private practice in Utah and Oregon as a psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress, particularly among war veterans and other trauma survivors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in human development from University of Chicago, and a PhD in psychology from University of Utah. She currently is involved with the statewide campaign for Lights Out, Washington!, advocating for reduced artificial light at night to protect birds during migration and safeguard the nocturnal environment for both human health and wildlife.

Studium Generale takes place each Thursday, from 12:35–1:25 pm, in the Little Theater of Peninsula College’s Port Angeles Campus (J-16), or livestream on Zoom: Meeting ID: 824 2331 6508

For more information about Studium Generale, please contact Kate Reavey at kreavey@pencol.edu.