Light Pollution In The Swinging Sixties: How Bad?

Light pollution, the excessive or unnecessary use of artificial lighting, has become a growing concern for environmentalists, naturalists, and medical researchers. While awareness of its harmful effects began in the 19th century, efforts to address light pollution started in the 1950s, with the 1960s marking a critical period for this issue. During this time, the development of neon and fluorescent lights made artificial lighting more accessible and affordable, leading to increased lighting usage. This, combined with the urbanization and industrialization of the time, contributed to the worsening light pollution problem. The impact of light pollution on both human health and the environment has been significant, with far-reaching consequences that are still being addressed today.

Light pollution's impact on astronomy

Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is a major side effect of urbanization, and 83% of the world's population is estimated to live under light-polluted skies.

The awareness of the harmful effects of light pollution began in the second half of the 19th century, but efforts to address the issue did not begin until the 1950s. The development of neon and fluorescent lights, which were cheaper to run, is suspected to have worsened light pollution in the 1960s. It was cheaper to leave office fluorescent lights on than to switch them off, and this practice became common. Additionally, pole-mounted security lights installed on farms in rural areas during this time also contributed to the overall increase in light pollution.

The impact of light pollution on astronomy was already being felt in the 1960s. Astronomers are dependent on clear access to the night sky, and light pollution interferes with their observations. While the first street lights did not seem to cause much damage to the night sky, the increasing use of artificial lighting was beginning to obscure the view of the stars. By the 1970s, astronomers recognized the impact of light pollution on their work, as the sky was becoming brighter by an estimated 3 to 6% every year.

Light pollution competes with starlight, making it harder to observe celestial objects. It can also directly enter telescopes, causing a glow that reduces contrast and makes it difficult for visual observers to adapt to the dark. This interference limits scientific discoveries, cultural connections to the night sky, and opportunities presented by astrotourism.

The impact of light pollution on astronomy is not just limited to visual observations. Radio interference and the deployment of satellite constellations further compound the issue, affecting radio astronomy and satellite-based observations.

Additionally, light pollution has adverse effects on both human and wildlife health. It disrupts ecosystems, alters behavior, and can impact animals on a cellular level by suppressing the production of melatonin, a hormone that controls the body clock. The loss of access to a starry night sky can also lead to a feeling of "sky grief" in humans, as they no longer have the ability to experience the awe and wonder of stargazing.

Light pollution's effect on human health

Light pollution, defined as the presence of any "unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting", has been a growing problem since the 1950s. The first street lights did not seem to cause much damage to the night sky, and people in the 1960s could see the Milky Way by the naked eye from the outskirts of New York City. However, the development of neon and fluorescent lights, which were cheap to run, made light pollution worse. This was because it was often cheaper to leave fluorescent lights on than to switch them off.

Light pollution has a range of effects on human health. Firstly, it disrupts the body's biological clock, hampering sleeping cycles. This is because artificial light affects how our bodies produce melatonin, a hormone that cues our bodies to become sleepy. Melatonin also boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, has antioxidant properties, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, ovaries, pancreas, testes, and adrenal glands. Therefore, a lack of melatonin caused by excessive artificial light at night may increase sleeplessness, depression, diabetes, and obesity.

Moreover, a study has found a "significant correlation" between artificial light and "all forms of cancer", including lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Another study has found a link between light pollution and Alzheimer's disease.

Light clutter, which refers to excessive groupings of lights, may generate confusion, distract from obstacles, and potentially cause accidents. Bad lighting can also cause glare, which can be a public health hazard, especially for older people. Bright and/or badly shielded lights around roads can partially blind drivers or pedestrians and contribute to accidents.

Light pollution's effect on wildlife

Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is a major side effect of urbanisation and is blamed for compromising human health, disrupting ecosystems, and spoiling aesthetic environments. Awareness of the harmful effects of light pollution began in the second half of the 19th century, but efforts to address its effects did not begin until the 1950s. In the 1980s, a global dark-sky movement emerged with the founding of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).

While I could not find specific information on the severity of light pollution in the 1960s, one source mentions that professionals have been warning/complaining about light pollution for fifty, even a hundred years. Another source mentions that people in the 1960s could see the Milky Way by the naked eye from the outskirts of New York City, which is no longer possible today.

Light pollution has been shown to have significant effects on wildlife, including both flora and fauna. Here are some ways in which light pollution impacts wildlife:

• Attracting and trapping certain organisms: Artificial light can attract organisms such as moths, frogs, and sea turtles, pulling them away from their natural habitats and concentrating them as a food source for predators. This can lead to exhaustion, increased predation, and even death.
• Repelling organisms: Light pollution can repel some organisms, effectively excluding them from their habitats and leading to habitat loss.
• Altering day/night patterns: Light pollution disrupts the natural day/night cycle, affecting sleep patterns and the downtime needed for the body to repair itself. This disruption can alter reproductive cycles and impact the breeding success of certain species.
• Impacting migration: Migratory birds can be attracted to artificial lights, causing them to lose their way and circle within the cone of light endlessly. This can lead to exhaustion or collision with the light source.
• Altering feeding and foraging behaviours: Artificial light can alter the feeding and foraging behaviours of various species, such as bats and frogs, making them more susceptible to predators or dehydration.
• Affecting circadian rhythms: Light pollution can impact the circadian rhythms of both nocturnal and diurnal species, extending the day for some and shortening it for others. This can make certain species more vulnerable to predators.
• Disrupting plant responses: Prolonged exposure to artificial light can prevent trees from adjusting to seasonal variations, impacting the wildlife that depends on them for habitat.

These are just a few examples of how light pollution can affect wildlife. It is important to address and mitigate light pollution to protect ecosystems and the diverse species that depend on them.

Light pollution's effect on the environment

Light pollution, which refers to the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting, has been a growing problem since the 1950s. It is a major side effect of urbanization, and in the 1960s, people could still see the Milky Way from the outskirts of New York City. Today, light pollution has become a pertinent issue, with 83% of the world's population living under light-polluted skies.

Light pollution has several effects on the environment. Firstly, it disrupts the natural rhythm of day and night that all life on Earth has relied on for billions of years. This disruption has a significant impact on both flora and fauna. For instance, prolonged exposure to artificial light prevents many trees from adjusting to seasonal variations, which in turn affects the wildlife that depends on these trees for their natural habitat.

Light pollution also alters the behaviours, foraging areas, and breeding cycles of many species, including insects, turtles, birds, fish, reptiles, and other wildlife. For example, sea turtles lay their eggs on beaches at night, and artificial lighting on beaches can disorientate adult and newborn turtles, causing them to be unable to find the ocean. Additionally, frogs have been found to inhibit their mating calls when exposed to excessive light at night, reducing their reproductive capacity.

Furthermore, light pollution can impact the feeding behaviour of certain species, such as bats. Researchers have also blamed light pollution for the decline in populations of North American moths. Birds are also affected by light pollution, as they can become disoriented by lights, leading to higher bird mortality due to collisions with artificial structures.

Light pollution has also been shown to affect human health. Glare from bright and badly shielded lights can cause discomfort and fatigue, and even contribute to accidents by partially blinding drivers or pedestrians. Additionally, exposure to artificial light at night can impact the production of hormones in humans.

Sources of light pollution in the 60s

Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. The first efforts to address light pollution began in the 1950s, and the problem seems to have worsened in the 1960s.

One source of light pollution in the 1960s was street lights. While the first street lights did not cause much damage to the night sky, the placement and design of street lights in the 1960s contributed to light clutter, a specific category of light pollution. Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights that may distract from obstacles and cause accidents.

Another source of light pollution in the 1960s was the development of neon and fluorescent lights. These lights were cheap to run, and it was said that it was cheaper to leave them on than to switch them off. As a result, many buildings and offices kept their lights on at night, contributing to light trespass, another category of light pollution. Light trespass occurs when light extends into an area where it is not wanted or needed, such as a streetlight illuminating a bedroom window.

In addition to street lights and fluorescent lights, other sources of light pollution in the 1960s included building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, illuminated sporting venues, and boats. These sources of light pollution combined to create sky glow, which is the bright haze above cities produced from excessive artificial lighting at night. Sky glow not only interferes with astronomy but also has adverse effects on the health of humans and other organisms.

Frequently asked questions