Bronte Wells
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. It is a major side effect of urbanization and industrialization, with 83% of the world's people living under light-polluted skies. Light pollution has harmful effects on human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects. It also wastes energy and money, with a third of all lighting in developed countries wasted by poorly directed or unshielded lamps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. |
| Synonyms | Noctalgia, skyglow, light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter |
| Causes | Inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light, poor lighting design, failure to use timers and sensors, wrong color of light, excessive use of LED lighting |
| Sources | Streetlights, buildings, advertising, offices, factories, illuminated sporting venues, boats, fireworks |
| Effects | Disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, interferes with natural rhythms of plants and animals, mars wilderness experience, carries risks to human health and safety, wastes energy, affects wildlife behavior, reduces number of visible stars |
| Solutions | Adjusting light fixtures, using appropriate light bulbs, shielding lights to reduce glare, dimming lights, turning off lights, legislative change, public education |
| Organizations | DarkSky International, International Dark-Sky Association, American Bird Conservatory |
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What You'll Learn
Light trespass
Many cities in the U.S. have developed standards for outdoor lighting to protect citizens against light trespass. The International Dark-Sky Association has also developed a set of model lighting ordinances to assist with this. These include limiting light at a 90-degree angle to reduce light trespass issues, as well as reducing sky glow.
If you are experiencing light trespass, it is recommended that you first make direct contact with the responsible party. This could be a neighbour, a small business owner, or a larger business or government agency. It is important to approach the situation in a positive and non-threatening way, as everyone involved wants the same thing: a chance to relax in their own environment. Working together to create a solution that benefits the community is the best course of action.
There are usually several ways to resolve light trespass issues, and it is important to remain open to all solutions and work together to find the best outcome for everyone. This could include adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, or installing light shields.
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Over-illumination
Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. Over-illumination is a type of light pollution that occurs when lights are turned on unnecessarily, resulting in artificial lighting in spaces where it is not needed. This can include streetlights turning on too early or offices not turning off their lights at night. Over-illumination can have negative consequences for both humans and animals.
For humans, over-illumination can cause sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, decreased sexual function, and increased anxiety. This is because artificial light disrupts the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and other physiological processes. Additionally, over-illumination can contribute to light trespass, where unwanted light enters someone's property, causing issues such as sleep deprivation.
For animals, over-illumination can disrupt natural behaviours and migratory patterns. Many species rely on natural light cues for survival, and when these light cycles are disturbed by excessive artificial light, it can have disastrous consequences. For example, sea turtles may crawl towards hotel resort lights instead of moonlight over the ocean, and birds may fatally fly into lit-up buildings.
To address over-illumination, it is important to use lighting only when and where it is needed. This can be achieved through thoughtful lighting installations that direct light downwards and use the lowest necessary light level. By reducing unnecessary lighting and light spillage, we can minimise the impact of over-illumination on humans, animals, and the environment.
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Glare
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. Light pollution has harmful effects on human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects.
To reduce glare from light pollution, shielding lights is an effective method. By placing shields over light sources, the amount of light scattering and reflection can be minimized, reducing the impact of glare. Additionally, the use of timers and sensors can help to reduce overall light pollution, including glare. Properly designed lighting that takes into account factors such as intensity, direction, and colour can also help minimize glare while still providing adequate illumination.
Light pollution, including glare, has been recognized as a concern by organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), which has developed policies to support the control of light pollution. The AMA has emphasized the health hazards associated with glare, particularly its impact on driving safety. It is important to address glare through the implementation of measures such as light shielding, timers, and appropriate lighting design to mitigate its negative effects on human health and well-being.
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Light clutter
To reduce light clutter, it is essential to use lighting efficiently and only when necessary. This can be achieved by utilizing light sources of minimum intensity required for their purpose and turning off lights when not in use through manual controls, timers, or occupancy sensors. Properly shielding light fixtures can also help direct light downwards, reducing sky glow and glare while improving visibility.
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Skyglow
The phenomenon of skyglow is observed mostly in urban areas, with more than 80% of the world's population and 99% of Americans and Europeans living under its influence. This makes it difficult for people in cities to see more than a few stars at night. The light pollution from skyglow also affects astronomers, reducing their ability to view celestial objects.
The effects of skyglow are not limited to the obstruction of stargazing and astronomy. Nocturnal light from skyglow interrupts the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals, including the circadian rhythm, which is the internal 24-hour clock that guides day and night activities and affects physiological processes. One of these processes is the production of melatonin, a hormone released in the absence of light that aids in sleep. An increased amount of light at night lowers melatonin production, leading to sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. Studies have also indicated a link between reduced melatonin levels and cancer.
The Dark-Sky Movement, started by astronomers, aims to reduce skyglow and protect the night sky. Flagstaff, Arizona, became the first International Dark-Sky City in 1958, enacting a light pollution control ordinance. Since then, over a dozen other cities have followed suit, including Sedona, Arizona, and Borrego Springs, California. The Dark-Sky Movement has also influenced the creation of lighting ordinances by the International Dark-Sky Association to reduce light pollution and protect the rights of citizens against light trespass.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting.
Sources of light pollution include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.
Light pollution has a number of negative impacts, including disturbing migrating birds and newly hatched sea turtles, disrupting ecosystems, and negatively impacting human health.
Light pollution can interfere with natural body rhythms in humans, leading to sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. It can also reduce the production of the hormone melatonin, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Solutions to light pollution include adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, and educating the public to push for legislative change. LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) can help reduce energy use and protect the environment, but warm-colored bulbs should be used to minimize glare and light trespass.
