Now I am not a country gal but I am aware that the sky in London is not the perfect backdrop for a romantic night under the stars. As well as the asthetics of this ,more importantly if legislation provided for businesses to switch off extra lights particualrly signage after business hours as well as offices and government buildings, then given normal business is usually 8 hours there would be a 16 hour saving. This has got to have a significant impact on the West's resource consumption.

In Honor Oak park at 8.30 pm, the following shops not open for business but with lights on are Seb Roche, ID , Jumping Bean, Barbaros, the Pine Shop and the Art Gallery and although not tonight, I know Willmotts often have their lights on. That's 23% of the shops.
I realise that in some cases window shopping is a commercial factor...but I do think commercial sacrifice is justified in this case.

I run night time businesses but lights are always off outside business hours.