Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, and it has harmful effects on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Sources of light pollution include streetlights, buildings, car lights, home lights, hotel lights, boats, fireworks, and satellites. Light pollution has been shown to interfere with the natural rhythms of plants and animals, disturb migrating birds, and increase the risk of harmful algae blooms in aquatic ecosystems. It also affects our ability to observe the night sky and stars. To address light pollution, individuals, institutions, and governments should take action to limit light pollution by changing light bulbs and fixtures, adopting measures to protect biodiversity, and creating dark sky areas. Additionally, simple habits such as turning off unnecessary lights, using window shades, reducing screen time, and driving less at night can help reduce light pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting products | Use LED lights with a warm colour temperature (CCT) of less than or equal to 5000K. |
| Lighting fixtures | Use semi-cutoff or full-cutoff wall packs with a downward focus. |
| Lighting shields | Use shields to reduce glare and light trespass onto neighbouring properties. |
| Lighting duration | Reduce the duration of lighting use, especially outdoors. |
| Lighting intensity | Use dimmers to reduce light intensity. |
| Lighting controls | Use motion sensors and timers to automatically limit light usage. |
| Lighting ordinances | Pass local lighting ordinances to reduce light pollution. |
| Education and advocacy | Raise awareness about the harmful effects of light pollution on humans, wildlife, and the climate. |
| Codes and statutes | Establish codes and statutes to reduce light pollution at the community level. |
| Dark sky areas | Create and promote dark sky areas to preserve natural darkness. |
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What You'll Learn
Using energy-efficient light bulbs
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on streetlights, greenhouses, and satellites, among other sources. It severely disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, interferes with the natural rhythms of plants and animals, mars wilderness experiences, carries risks to human health and safety, and wastes energy.
Use LED lights
LED lights are today's most energy-efficient lighting technology. They use less electricity to produce light output compared to other light bulbs, such as incandescent bulbs or compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). LEDs are also more energy-efficient than CFLs, so using them may further reduce GHG emissions. According to a study, if every household in a country replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL bulb, it would save enough energy to prevent GHG emissions equivalent to what 800,000 cars produce annually.
Use warm-colored bulbs
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recommends using only warm light sources for outdoor lighting. This includes Low-pressure Sodium (LPS), High-pressure Sodium (HPS), and low-color-temperature LEDs. Using "warm" or filtered LEDs (CCT < 3,000 K; S/P ratio < 1.2) can help minimize blue emission.
Use glare-free bulbs
To reduce light pollution, it is recommended to use glare-free bulbs and install low-hanging bulbs. This helps to reduce the brightening of the night skies and minimize the impact on wildlife habitats.
Face lights downwards
Facing lights downwards helps to reduce the amount of light escaping into the night sky. This is true for both indoor and outdoor lighting. When using flashlights or headlights, always point them down towards the ground.
Cover the bulbs
Covering light bulbs with shades or other coverings can help to reduce light pollution. This is especially important for decorative lighting during festive seasons, as these lights tend to be kept on all day and night, contributing to the brightening of the night sky.
By following these practices and choosing energy-efficient light bulbs, individuals can play a significant role in reducing light pollution and its negative impacts on the environment and human health.
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Reducing light trespass
Light trespass is a term used to describe light that spills over from one property and adversely affects another. It is a common issue in areas of high growth where commercial developments are constructed near residential areas. Light trespass can also occur when a neighbour installs a poorly planned outdoor lighting system.
To reduce light trespass, it is important to consider the location of light fixtures, the angle at which light is projected, and the use of shields or glare reduction techniques. Choosing the right fixture, installing it properly, and designing a lighting system that minimises light trespass are critical.
The most common type of light trespass is "spill light", which occurs when light reaches beyond the property line. To prevent this, it is recommended to walk around your property and examine the effect of the light from all viewing angles. Light trespass can be controlled by using dark sky light fixtures, full cut-off fixtures, practical brightness levels, and proper placement and aiming of lights.
Additionally, individuals can reduce light trespass by turning off lights when not in use, using window shades to prevent light from escaping, and reducing the use of electronic devices and screens after dark. These simple actions can contribute to lessening overall light pollution and reducing energy costs.
By implementing these strategies, we can minimise light trespass and its adverse effects on neighbouring properties, while still maintaining a comfortable and properly illuminated outdoor environment.
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Pushing for legislative change
Educate and Raise Awareness
Spreading awareness about light pollution and its impacts is essential in garnering support for legislative change. This includes educating communities about the adverse effects of light pollution on human health, such as disrupted sleep and potential long-term health issues. Additionally, raising awareness of light pollution's impact on the environment, including disrupting ecosystems and navigational problems for wildlife, can help build a stronger case for legislative action.
Advocate for Lighting Ordinances
Lighting ordinances are powerful tools for setting reasonable limits on light pollution. These ordinances can include measures such as shielded, downward-pointing lighting, curfews, and other sensible controls. Communities can push for their cities to adopt and enforce such ordinances, following examples like the City of Northampton, MA, with its output standards, or the City of Woodbury, NJ, with its underground wiring and street lighting regulations.
Engage with Lawmakers and Policy Influencers
Collaborating with lawmakers and policy influencers is vital for driving legislative change. Individuals can contact their local representatives and express their concerns about light pollution, urging them to support and introduce legislation addressing this issue. For instance, Illinois lawmakers introduced SR 64, encouraging local governments to utilize light fixtures that reduce "unnecessary light" and save energy.
Support Green Initiatives and Certifications
Promoting green initiatives and certifications can be a powerful way to reduce light pollution. For example, Florida leads the way with State Administrative Code Rule 62B-33, requiring coastal buildings to use amber lighting, reducing light pollution's impact on wildlife and the environment. Additionally, the International Dark Sky Places Program encourages communities to adopt responsible lighting policies and provides certification, with 195 certified places worldwide as of January 2022.
Standardize Lighting Practices
Standardizing lighting practices across industries is essential to reducing light pollution effectively. This includes standardizing spectral properties for lighting fixtures, as suggested by DLC senior lighting scientist Leora Radetsky, who provided manufacturers with guidelines for producing less-polluting lights. By advocating for standardized practices, individuals can push for industry-wide change that will have a significant impact on light pollution reduction.
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Educating the public
Understanding the Issue
Firstly, it is essential to help people understand what light pollution is and its harmful effects. Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, resulting in unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It has severe consequences for nocturnal ecosystems, human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe the night sky. Migrating birds, sea turtles, and other wildlife species are disoriented by light pollution, and it also interferes with natural body rhythms in both humans and animals, such as sleep patterns and hormone production.
Sources of Light Pollution
Educate people about the various sources of light pollution, which go beyond just streetlights. Private and commercial windows, signs, buildings, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and vehicles all contribute significantly to light pollution. By understanding these sources, individuals can take targeted actions to reduce light pollution in their own spaces and communities.
Simple Actions to Reduce Light Pollution
Provide practical tips and simple actions that individuals can take to reduce light pollution. This includes turning off unnecessary lights, using window shades to prevent light from escaping indoors, reducing the use of electronic devices at night, and adopting better outdoor lighting practices, such as using warmer colour temperatures (CCT) for outdoor lighting and avoiding the blue light spectrum.
Supporting Advocacy Groups
Inform the public about organisations like DarkSky International, which works to reduce light pollution and protect communities and wildlife. Encourage people to support their initiatives, join their advocacy efforts, and follow their guidelines for responsible lighting practices.
Promoting Dark Skies
Raise awareness about the benefits of dark skies and the importance of creating and preserving areas free from light pollution. Emphasise how dark skies enhance the beauty of the night sky, improve human health, and benefit nocturnal ecosystems and wildlife. Encourage individuals to explore and appreciate these areas while advocating for the protection and expansion of dark-sky places.
By educating the public about light pollution, its impacts, and the actions they can take, we can foster a collective sense of responsibility and empower individuals to make a difference in their communities. Together, we can work towards reducing light pollution and restoring the balance between artificial light and natural darkness.
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Adopting dark-sky areas
One of the key organisations leading the charge in this regard is DarkSky International. They have been instrumental in advocating for and establishing dark-sky legislation since the first such law was passed in 1958. DarkSky International works closely with communities and professionals to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution. They also certify lighting products, designs, and installations that are designed to minimise light pollution.
The creation of dark-sky areas is a collaborative effort involving individuals, institutions, and governments. It requires a conscious decision to limit artificial lighting and embrace natural darkness. This can be achieved through the use of lighting fixtures that direct light downward, the adoption of warmer colour temperatures for outdoor lighting, and the use of shields or cut-off wall packs to prevent light trespass onto neighbouring properties.
Additionally, the promotion of dark-sky areas goes hand in hand with education and awareness. Organisations like DarkSky International play a vital role in informing the public about the harmful effects of excessive artificial light on humans, wildlife, and the climate. By raising awareness, more people can be encouraged to adopt practices that reduce light pollution, such as turning off unnecessary lights, using window shades to prevent light escape, and reducing the use of electronic devices after dark.
The establishment and promotion of dark-sky areas are essential steps towards restoring the natural nighttime environment and protecting the health and well-being of both human and wildlife communities. It is a long-term process that requires collective effort, but the rewards are well worth the endeavour.
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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 excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light.
Light pollution has several negative impacts, including disturbing migrating birds and newly hatched sea turtles, disrupting nocturnal ecosystems, interfering with the natural rhythms of plants and animals, reducing our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects, and wasting energy. It also poses risks to human health, such as sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, and anxiety.
There are several ways to address light pollution:
- Use less light and only what is necessary.
- Reduce the duration of light use and avoid keeping lights on all day and night.
- Use dimmers, motion sensors, and timers to control light intensity and usage.
- Use warmer colour temperatures (CCT) for outdoor lighting, avoiding the blue light spectrum associated with LED lights.
- Use shields or light fixtures that focus light downward to reduce light trespass onto neighbouring properties.
Some simple habits to reduce light pollution include:
- Turning off lights when not in use.
- Using window shades to prevent room lights from escaping.
- Reducing the use of electronic devices at night and switching to a dimmer setting.
- Avoiding driving at night unless necessary, as headlights contribute to light pollution.
Communities can band together to enact local legislation and advocate for reducing light pollution. They can also work with organisations like DarkSky International to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution and educate the public about its harmful effects. Governments can implement policies and regulations targeting commercial lighting, change light bulbs and fixtures, and promote dark-sky areas.
