Prague’s LED streetlight backlash grows as 4,000 sign petition
A petition demanding Prague halt its LED streetlight replacement has gained rapid support. Over 4,000 people have signed online in just days, raising concerns about health and environmental impacts. The campaign, led by the group Chraňme pražskou noc, argues that the new white LEDs disrupt natural rhythms and harm wildlife.
Prague’s municipal company, THMP, has already replaced around 18,000 of the city’s 136,000-138,000 streetlights with warm-white LEDs. Critics claim the high blue-light content in these LEDs interferes with human sleep, harms animals, and damages plants. The petitioners stress that their issue is not with LED technology itself but with the chosen colour temperature, which they say is unsuitable for nighttime use.
The group plans to submit their demands to Prague’s city council in February, backed by at least 1,000 physical signatures from residents. Their key requests include stopping further replacements, reverting installed white LEDs to the previous orange lighting, and organising an expert discussion with specialists and affected groups.
THMP has dismissed the criticisms, stating that the warm-white LEDs meet standards and help reduce light pollution. Despite this, public opposition continues to grow, with the petition sparking widespread debate over the city’s lighting policy.
The petition’s organisers now focus on gathering physical signatures before the February council session. If successful, their proposals could force a review of Prague’s streetlight modernisation. For now, the replacements remain ongoing, with THMP standing by its decision.
