Helena Joyce
Light pollution, caused by the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, is a global issue that affects human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe the night sky. More than 80% of the world's population lives under sky glow, a pervasive form of light pollution. Artificial light at night disrupts the natural day-night cycle, affecting human and animal health and behaviour. It has been linked to sleep disorders, obesity, depression, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Light pollution also impacts the migration and feeding patterns of birds, sea turtles, and insects, with artificial light sources disorienting them and leading to their deaths. While light pollution has negative consequences, it is a solvable problem through awareness, proper planning, and the adoption of smarter lighting technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting |
| Sources | Street lamps, car lights, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights, neon signs, illuminated signboards, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, illuminated sporting venues, buildings, boats, fireworks |
| Effects | Sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, other health problems, reduced visibility of stars and other celestial objects, disruption of ecosystems, adverse effects on birds and other migratory animals, degradation of environmental quality, air pollution, increased impacts of climate change |
| Solutions | Adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, public education, legislative change, using timers and sensors, using the right colour of light, establishing codes and statutes, choosing better outdoor lighting, passing local lighting ordinances |
| Prevalence | 83% of the world's people live under light-polluted skies, including 99% of Europeans and Americans |
| Most affected countries | Singapore, Qatar, Kuwait, highly industrialised and densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, major cities in the Middle East and North Africa (e.g. Tehran, Cairo) |
| Organisations addressing light pollution | International Dark-Sky Association, DarkSky International, National Geographic, World Atlas of Night Sky Brightness, JMU Lighting Research Center |
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What You'll Learn
Light trespass
To resolve issues of light trespass, it is recommended to first contact the responsible party, which is usually obvious (a neighbour, a small business owner, etc.). It is best to approach the situation in a positive and non-threatening manner, as threatening legal action can create bad feelings in the neighbourhood. Working together to create a solution can help ensure everyone in the community can relax in their own environment.
There are several ways to address light trespass, and it is important to remain open to different solutions. Some suggestions include adjusting light fixtures so that they are shielded and direct light downward, only illuminating the area that needs to be lit. The International Dark-Sky Association has also developed model lighting ordinances to help reduce light trespass and protect the visibility of stars.
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Over-illumination
The adverse effects of over-illumination are extensive. Firstly, it disrupts the natural day-night cycle, affecting the circadian rhythms of humans and animals. This can lead to sleep disorders, such as insomnia and delayed sleep-phase syndrome, as well as various health issues like depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, and heart disease. The production of melatonin, a crucial hormone released in darkness, is inhibited by the presence of artificial light, resulting in sleep deprivation, fatigue, and other health problems.
Furthermore, over-illumination contributes to energy waste and increases the impacts of climate change. The generation of artificial light often involves the combustion of fossil fuels, leading to increased carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. It is estimated that one-third of all lighting is wasted, costing $2.2 billion annually. This wasted light is scattered and reflected by particles in the atmosphere, creating a bright glow in the night sky that obscures the view of stars and other celestial objects for astronomers and sky observers.
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Glare
Light trespass, a form of light pollution, occurs when unwanted light enters a person's property, such as shining into a bedroom window while someone is trying to sleep. This can be disruptive and impact their ability to rest.
To mitigate glare, it is recommended to shield lights, use appropriate light bulbs, and adjust light fixtures. Additionally, using energy-efficient bulbs and bulbs with the appropriate spectral power distributions can also help reduce glare and light pollution.
Light pollution, including glare, has been linked to adverse health effects, such as sleep disorders, insomnia, depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It can also impact wildlife behaviour, such as migration patterns and habitat formation, causing disorientation and death among birds and sea turtles. Furthermore, light pollution wastes energy, contributing to the waste of resources and money.
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Light clutter
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is a side effect of industrial civilisation, with sources including building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. Light pollution is most severe in highly industrialised, densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as major cities in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Tehran and Cairo.
The effects of light pollution are both environmental and economic. The International Dark-Sky Association estimates that one-third of all lighting is wasted at an annual cost of $2.2 billion. This wasted light is scattered and reflected by particles in the atmosphere, reducing visibility of the night sky. This phenomenon is known as skyglow, which is caused by light directed upwards, such as from cobra-head streetlights, which emit about 30% of their light upwards.
Light pollution has adverse effects on human health and wildlife behaviour. Nocturnal light interferes with the natural day/night cycle, disrupting the circadian rhythm and lowering melatonin production, which can result in sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. It also affects the ability to observe stars and other celestial objects, impacting both professional and amateur astronomers.
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Skyglow
The brightening of the night sky due to skyglow reduces the visibility of stars and other celestial objects. About 80% of North Americans and 83% of people worldwide can no longer see the Milky Way galaxy because of skyglow. Astronomers are particularly concerned about this form of light pollution as it hinders their ability to observe and study the night sky.
The excessive artificial light from skyglow can also have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. It disrupts the natural day-night cycle and the circadian rhythms of both humans and animals, leading to various health issues such as sleep disorders, depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Additionally, the light projected directly upwards from streetlights contributes to wasted energy and increased carbon dioxide emissions.
To address the issue of skyglow, organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association have developed model lighting ordinances to reduce the amount of light emitted upwards into the sky. By advocating for better lighting designs and practices, such as the use of timers and sensors, these organizations aim to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the negative impacts of light pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light.
Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow.
Common sources of light pollution include street lamps, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights found on most homes/businesses, neon signs, and illuminated signboards.
Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, and has adverse health effects. It also affects wildlife behaviour and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects.
Solutions to light pollution include adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, and educating the public to push for legislative change.
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