Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is a pressing issue that significantly affects our night view. It refers to the excess or inappropriate artificial light outdoors, caused primarily by outdoor lights emitting light upwards or sideways. This pollution has three main forms: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Light pollution obscures our view of the night sky, making it difficult to observe stars and planets due to reduced contrast. It also has adverse effects on human health, disrupting our natural circadian rhythms and increasing the risk of various health issues. Additionally, light pollution impacts wildlife and ecosystems, disrupts the migration of birds, and affects the behaviour of nocturnal animals. Addressing this issue requires smarter lighting solutions, such as shielded lights that direct illumination downwards, and public awareness about the importance of reducing light pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Light pollution types | Glare, light trespass, Skyglow, light clutter |
| Light pollution sources | Street lamps, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights, neon signs, illuminated signboards, streetlights, greenhouses, satellites |
| Light pollution effects | Disruption of the circadian rhythm, reduced melatonin production, adverse health effects (e.g. sleep disorders, depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer), ecological impacts (e.g. disruption of migration, reproduction, hunting, feeding in animals), energy wastage, increased air pollution, negative impact on astronomy |
| Light pollution growth | Globally, light pollution increased by 9.6% annually from 2012 to 2022, with Europe and North America experiencing growth rates of 6.5% and 10.4%, respectively. |
| Light pollution solutions | Use of shielded lights, dimming lights, turning off unnecessary lights, smarter streetlights, more intelligent lighting, use of timers and sensors, choosing the right colour of light (reducing blue light) |
What You'll Learn
Light trespass
To resolve light trespass issues, it is recommended to take a friendly and positive approach when communicating with the offending neighbour. Suggest alternatives, such as moving, shielding, or adding motion sensors to the lights. Educate them about the benefits of dark sky-friendly lighting and provide information on local lighting control ordinances and electricity costs. It is also helpful to compile a list of local businesses or homes with good-quality lighting as examples of effective security measures that are dark sky-friendly.
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Over-illumination
- Consensus-based standards or norms that are not based on vision science.
- Improper design, specifying higher levels of light than needed.
- Incorrect choice of fixtures or light bulbs, which do not direct light effectively.
- Inadequate training of building managers and occupants to use lighting systems efficiently.
- Inadequate lighting maintenance, resulting in increased stray light and energy costs.
- "Daylight lighting" demanded by citizens to reduce crime or by shop owners to attract customers.
- Substitution of old lamps with more efficient LEDs using the same electrical power.
- Indirect lighting techniques, such as illuminating a vertical wall to bounce light.
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Light clutter
The effects of light clutter on the night view are not limited to urban areas. Light pollution from cities can reach distances of over 200 miles, affecting the views from national parks and other protected natural areas. This far-reaching impact of light clutter obscures the natural night sky, making it difficult to appreciate the beauty of the stars and the Milky Way galaxy.
To address the issue of light clutter, it is essential to implement well-designed lighting fixtures that direct light downward, minimising the amount of light escaping upward. Shielded lights, also known as full cut-off lights, significantly reduce light pollution. Additionally, utilising less powerful lamps or bulbs can further decrease light clutter while improving visibility, safety, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.
By adopting more efficient lighting practices, such as targeted illumination and deploying lighting only when necessary, we can reduce light clutter and improve our night views. It is important to remember that each individual can play a role in reducing light pollution by being mindful of their outdoor lighting usage and encouraging others to do the same.
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Sky glow
There are two kinds of light scattering that lead to sky glow: scattering from molecules such as N2 and O2 (called Rayleigh scattering), and that from aerosols, described by Mie theory. Rayleigh scattering is much stronger for short-wavelength (blue) light, while scattering from aerosols is less affected by wavelength. In many urban areas, aerosol scattering dominates due to heavy aerosol loading caused by modern industrial activity, power generation, farming, and transportation.
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Human health
Light pollution has a significant impact on human health, with research suggesting that artificial light at night can have far-reaching consequences for human well-being. One of the primary mechanisms through which light pollution affects human health is by disrupting the natural circadian rhythm, or the "body clock". This internal 24-hour clock is governed by the natural day/night cycle and plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including brain wave patterns, hormone production, cell regulation, and other biological activities.
Artificial light at night, particularly blue light, suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that is typically released in the darkness. Melatonin is responsible for inducing sleep, boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol, and supporting the functioning of several glands and organs. By disrupting melatonin production, light pollution can lead to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and a host of other health issues.
Furthermore, light pollution has been associated with an increased risk of various health disorders. Studies have found links between exposure to artificial light at night and depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, particularly breast cancer. The disruption of the circadian rhythm and the decrease in melatonin production are believed to be key factors in these associations.
The ubiquity of artificial light in modern society means that almost everyone is exposed to some form of electric light during the night. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to experience truly dark nights, which can have detrimental effects on their health. To mitigate these negative impacts, individuals can take steps such as using blackout shades, opting for reddish light bulbs, and utilising colour temperature apps that adjust the lighting on electronic devices according to the time of day.
While the research on the health effects of light pollution is ongoing, it has sparked a global movement to reduce light pollution and raise awareness about its potential risks to human health. Organisations like the International Dark Sky Association are leading the way in advocating for responsible lighting practices and educating the public about the importance of preserving dark skies for the benefit of human health and the environment.
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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 excess or inappropriate use of artificial light outdoors.
Light pollution can make it difficult to see the stars and planets in the night sky due to reduced contrast. It also prevents the human eye from fully adapting to the dark, reducing our night vision.
Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing the risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer, and more. Light pollution disrupts the natural circadian rhythm, which is essential for our biological welfare.
