Under One Sky 2025 is DarkSky International’s annual global conference focused on light pollution, night sky preservation, and the impact of artificial lighting on ecosystems and human health. The event will take place virtually over 24 continuous hours on November 7–8, providing access to participants across time zones.
Structured around regional sessions, workshops, and keynotes, the conference brings together scientists, advocates, policymakers, and community members. By combining research insights with practical strategies, the event highlights actionable solutions for protecting dark skies.
Above photo credit: Matther Costanza
The opening keynote will be delivered by Lynne Peeples, an award-winning science journalist and author of The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms. Her presentation explores how light, darkness, and environment influence circadian rhythms, health, and daily life.
Other featured sessions include workshops on responsible outdoor lighting, regional storytelling from communities implementing night sky protection, and networking opportunities that connect participants across continents.
The program spans a complete day, beginning Friday evening in U.S. time zones and continuing across regions until the closing keynote.
Friday, November 7
Saturday, November 8
Photo credit: Myriam Parra
The Under One Sky 2025 speaker lineup includes researchers, authors, organizational leaders, and advocates whose work connects science, policy, and public outreach. Each brings a unique perspective to the global challenge of reducing light pollution.
Lynne Peeples – Peeples is a science journalist and statistician whose reporting focuses on health, environment, and science policy. She has written for outlets including Scientific American, HuffPost, and Environmental Health News. Her new book, The Inner Clock, explores circadian biology and the role of light in regulating sleep and health. Peeples’s keynote draws on years of research and interviews with experts ranging from astronauts studying space-based circadian cycles to athletes managing performance through sleep optimization.
Nalayini Brito-Davies – As Board President of DarkSky International, Brito-Davies leads strategic direction for the organization. Based in New Zealand, she combines her academic background in astronomy with professional experience in economics and finance. Her work has supported national initiatives to recognize dark sky regions and to integrate sustainable lighting practices into urban planning. She represents how governance, policy, and community action intersect in global dark sky advocacy.
Ruskin Hartley – Hartley serves as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of DarkSky International. His career spans environmental conservation, including leadership roles at Save the Redwoods League and Heal the Bay. At DarkSky, Hartley oversees international programs that expand access to starry skies, improve outdoor lighting standards, and engage both grassroots advocates and institutional partners. His perspective emphasizes how light pollution solutions benefit biodiversity, human health, and energy efficiency.
Roger Craig Smith – Known widely as a voice actor in popular media and video games, Smith is also an active advocate for natural spaces and dark skies. He has used his public platform to draw attention to conservation issues, blending storytelling and outreach in accessible ways. As host of the conference’s opening session, he introduces the program while reinforcing how creativity and communication play roles in building awareness.
Chris Peterson – Engagement Manager for DarkSky International, Peterson focuses on volunteer support and community-building efforts. He plays a key role in designing networking opportunities at the conference, ensuring that participants from different regions can share ideas and establish collaborations. His background emphasizes the importance of sustained engagement in keeping dark sky initiatives active at the local level.
Callie Blake – Serving as Engagement Associate at DarkSky International, Blake coordinates outreach campaigns and community programs. She is a point of contact for attendees, helping bridge communication between participants and organizers. Her contributions ensure smooth operations during the conference and reflect the organization’s commitment to accessible global participation.
Together, these speakers illustrate the diverse expertise and roles needed to advance the movement to protect natural night skies. From scientific research and journalism to organizational leadership and creative communication, their perspectives highlight the many ways light pollution intersects with daily life.
Participants can prepare for the conference by reviewing answers to common questions:
Cost: A suggested contribution of US$35 supports the event. Free community tickets are available by request.
Access: Registered attendees will receive a Zoom link one week before the conference. All sessions are virtual.
Lost link: Contact the DarkSky team for assistance retrieving access details.
Volunteering: Outreach and promotion opportunities are available; resources include graphics, email banners, and social content.
Resources: An outreach kit and merchandise are available for participants wishing to support or share the event.
Light pollution reduces visibility of stars, disrupts ecosystems, and affects human health by interfering with circadian rhythms. Under One Sky 2025 emphasizes how communities can reduce unnecessary lighting, adopt responsible technologies, and promote cultural and economic benefits of dark sky preservation.
Under One Sky 2025 represents an international effort to address light pollution through shared knowledge and collaboration. By offering a 24-hour platform with keynotes, workshops, and regional storytelling, the conference illustrates how local action and global awareness can combine to protect starry nights for generations to come.
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