The Darkness Manifesto
How light pollution threatens the ancient rhythms of life
Johan Eklöf author Dr Elizabeth DeNoma translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:3rd Nov '22
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- Paperback£10.99(9781529116106)

In The Darkness Manifesto, Johan Eklöf explores the critical need for natural darkness and its profound impact on our environment and well-being.
In The Darkness Manifesto, Johan Eklöf presents a compelling argument for the importance of natural darkness in our lives. He eloquently discusses how the relentless spread of artificial light has not only altered our perception of night but has also significantly impacted the environment and the well-being of various species. The book serves as a reminder that the natural cycle of day and night is essential for the survival of countless organisms, and by disrupting this cycle, we risk the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
Eklöf delves into the consequences of light pollution, illustrating how it affects everything from insect reproduction to the hunting patterns of nocturnal animals. He paints a vivid picture of a world where streetlights and neon signs have driven away the inhabitants of the night, leading to a cascade of ecological disruptions. The author emphasizes that this issue is not just an environmental concern but also a personal one, as our health, hormones, and mental well-being are intricately linked to our exposure to natural darkness.
Ultimately, The Darkness Manifesto is both eye-opening and encouraging, offering readers practical steps to embrace darkness for the betterment of themselves and the planet. Eklöf advocates for a shift in perspective, urging society to reconsider the value of darkness and to recognize that true progress may lie in turning off the lights and allowing the night to reclaim its rightful place in our lives.
Poetic and philosophical at times, intimate and expansive at others * Daily Telegraph *
Superb... takes us on an exciting journey through multiple and fascinating areas of nocturnal biology... A critically important must-read for all who have an interest in the health of our planet * Russell Foster, author of Life Time *
A powerful contribution to our understanding of the harm we're causing, and a clarion call for change * New Statesman *
Absolutely wonderful, full of graceful insight and gentle persuasion -- Chris Goodall, author of What We Need to Do Now
I never knew the night could be this fascinating or that there was so much I wanted to know about it. Highly recommendable read * Nicklas Brendborg, author of Jellyfish Age Backwards *
An urgent and erudite hymn to the night, composed by a scientist with the soul of a poet * Chloe Aridjis, author of Book of Clouds *
A scintillating read by a conservationist of true literary flair * Rebecca Giggs, award-winning author of Fathoms *
A sophisticated exploration of the unintended consequences of artificial light on human society and the health of our planet, The Darkness Manifestoblends science with lyrical prose to draw attention to the immense importance of the night-time to all living organisms * *Waterstones' Best Popular Science Books of 2022* *
Accessible, fascinating, and stimulating [...] acts as a siren call for anyone who is concerned about the affect of humanity on our environment. The Darkness Manifesto opens eyes, hearts, and minds to beauty of darkness, and the importance of its continued existence * LoveReading.co.uk *
Powerful ... Eklöf [shows] it is time for us to re-embrace darkness, both for nature's sake and our own * iNews *
Eklöf underlines that only a fraction of outdoor artificial light benefits us... It is time for us all to re-embrace darkness, both for nature's sake and our own * Scotsman *
A pleasure to read [and] a paean of praise for natural darkness in its own right * Financial Times *Best Books of 2022: Science* *
Eklöf lays out the psychology, philosophy and politics behind the spread of illumination. Embracing the darkness isn't going to be easy ... Thankfully, Eklöf's last chapter is a manifesto of actionable points to befriend darkness [and] do our bit to try to save this spottily, but still too brightly, lit planet * New Scientist *
Eklöf expresses his fears with cogent clarity in The Darkness Manifesto ... [and] takes his argument around the world [with] a style that is sometimes elegiac and often urgent ... the world needs to accelerate its embrace of darkness. To quote Eklöf's concluding phrase, carpe noctem * Financial Times *
Johan Eklöf's book is a chilling account of the nemesis that is gathering pace and fury... building a compelling case against our colonial expansion into the trashing of the night * Literary Review *
This book...show[s] how vital the darkness is to so many creatures and plants... its message is clear and stirring - the dark is necessary and we continue to dilute it at the Earth's peril * Geographical *
An expansive and philosophical examination of our relationship with light and darkness... Eklöf weaves a gentle tapestry of reflective Nature writing combined with fierce, science-backed passion... powerful * Resurgence & Ecologist *
At once rousing and poetic, this illuminating manifesto is full of precisely the kind of pocketable scientific titbits that will keep you reading well after your bedside light should have been switched off * Guardian *
ISBN: 9781847927156
Dimensions: 222mm x 144mm x 25mm
Weight: 361g
240 pages