The Darkness Manifesto

The Latin roots of “manifesto” date to the 14th century. Its origin may be the adjective “manifest” which means “readily perceived by the senses”. According to Merriman-Webster, a “manifesto” can be a “statement in which someone makes his/her intentions or views easy for people to understand”. In his book, “The Darkness Manifesto”, Johan Eklöf presents - by way of the senses - his manifesto, a manifesto “on light pollution, night ecology, and the ancient rhythms that sustain life”. I loved the book.

Eklöf is a Swedish conservationist. Initially published in 2020, The Darkness Manifesto has now been translated into English by Elizabeth DeNoma.  As Paul Bogard did in his wonderful book; “The End of Night”, Eklof introduces us to “The Disappearing Night”. After confronting us with the “Illuminated Planet” and the “Mass Die-Off”, Eklof passionately guides us through an easy-to-understand sensual tour of scotobiology, the study of the way biology is affected by darkness. Combined, scotobiology and photobiology are the science of the 24 hours cycle of day and night.

For every living thing on this planet, we have had day and night: the ancient circadian rhythm that sustains life.

Again, I loved this book. Whether talking about bats, moths, birds, dung beetles, glowworms, or humans, Eklöf proposes that circadian rhythm could be Earth’s most universally important ancient rhythm that sustains life, all life. When describing The Darkness Manifesto as a “timely and insightful look at the impact of light pollution on all life on Earth”, the publisher mentions two of my other many favorite books, Matthew Walker’s “Why We Sleep” and Elizabeth Kolbert’s “The Sixth Extinction”.  As Rachael Carson did her in seminal manifesto; “Silent Spring”, Eklöf reminds us that when we mess with Mother Nature, there can be dire consequences. 

I hope that you take time to read “The Darkness Manifesto”. Also, please take the time to read Bogard, Walker, Kolbert and Carlson. Please read “Nature’s Best Hope” by Doug Tallamy and “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” by Neil deGrasse Tyson. We need to be reminded about ancient rhythms. Ancient rhythms that, in my opinion, were created, evolved and, until recently, fostered to sustain a healthy, balanced, Earth. 

For more books regarding the ecological consequences of light pollution, visit the adult and children’s book lists at  www.darksky.org 

Adam Kreuzer