This interesting research took eight different USA data sources which correlates an interest in astronomy with access to dark skies. It concludes “… increasing access to the starry night sky may also help to promote more equitable opportunities to feel wonder about the universe, which can motivate interest and engagement in science. The present findings thus begin to suggest how light pollution is not only impacting biological and ecological processes, but also human behavior, science education, and society.”
This could be another campaigning point but correlation is not causation. What was the initial spark that got you interested in astronomy? A teacher, an astronomical event, a book, TV? Did you live in a dark sky area at the time? Bob Mizon grew up in London and got hooked by a book. I became interested when seeing the Aurora from the south of New Zealand but took up astronomy as a hobby after reading a Patrick Moore book. I’m a little sceptical about causation and wonder if a survey of amateur astronomers here would be useful.
https://www.washington.edu/news/2024/10/01/qa-uw-researchers-examine-link-between-light-pollution-and-interest-in-astronomy/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69920-4
British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890