Brian Barton
Light pollution is a pressing issue that affects astronomers, photographers, and the general population. It is caused by the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels, impacting the environment, wildlife habitats, and human health. Cities are particularly affected by light pollution, with artificial lights from cars, streetlamps, offices, and buildings turning night into day. This has detrimental effects on both humans and wildlife, disrupting sleeping patterns and migration patterns, respectively. While it may seem daunting, there are several ways to combat light pollution in cities. This includes the use of motion-sensitive street lighting, warm-toned LED lights, and light pollution filters for cameras. Additionally, individuals can contribute by turning off unnecessary lights, using dimmer settings, and supporting local initiatives for better lighting regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of flashlights or headlights | Always point them down to the ground |
| Use of devices | Switch to a dimmer night setting |
| Lights at home | Only use the lights you need, use dimmers, and close window shades to keep light from escaping |
| Natural darkness | Artificial light should be used only for a specific purpose |
| Motion-sensitive street lighting | Lights come on as people and moving objects approach, reducing wasted light |
| Bulbs | Use covered bulbs that face downwards, use low-watt bulbs, and avoid blue-rich white light sources |
| LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) | Use warm-colored bulbs to reduce energy use and protect the environment |
| Dimmers, motion sensors, and timers | Reduce average illumination levels and save energy |
| Outdoor lighting fixtures | Shield the light source to minimize glare and light trespass |
| Switching to LED lighting | Reduces illuminance without compromising visibility |
| Astrophotography | Astro-modify your camera, use light pollution filters, and use the ETTR tactic |
| Smart telescopes | Use a telescope with an in-built camera that you control from your smartphone |
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What You'll Learn
- Use warm-coloured bulbs, like low-pressure sodium and low-CCT LEDs
- Install dimmers, motion sensors and timers to reduce illumination levels
- Shield outdoor light sources to minimise glare and light trespass
- Implement motion-sensitive street lighting to reduce wasted light
- Advocate for local lighting ordinances and regulations
Use warm-coloured bulbs, like low-pressure sodium and low-CCT LEDs
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. One of the easiest ways to combat light pollution is to use the right light bulbs.
LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) can help reduce energy use and protect the environment, but only warm-coloured bulbs should be used. Blue-rich white light sources are known to increase glare and compromise human vision, especially as we age. These lights create potential road safety problems for motorists and pedestrians. In natural settings, blue light at night has been shown to adversely affect wildlife behaviour and reproduction. This is particularly true in cities, which are often stopover points for migratory species.
Therefore, it is recommended that only warm-appearing light sources be used for outdoor lighting. This includes low-pressure sodium (LPS) and low-CCT LEDs. "Warm" toned or filtered LEDs (CCT 3000 K or lower; S/P ratio 1.2 or lower) should be used to minimize blue emissions.
The city of Vélez-Málaga in Spain recently adopted a dimmable warm-white light system for its streets, giving it lower watt lighting on demand and better illuminating its historic streets. This is a great example of how a simple switch to warm-coloured bulbs can help reduce light pollution in urban areas.
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Install dimmers, motion sensors and timers to reduce illumination levels
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. One way to combat light pollution is to install dimmers, motion sensors, and timers to reduce illumination levels.
Dimmer switches allow users to adjust the brightness of a light fixture, providing the flexibility to set the desired level of illumination for any occasion. By reducing the intensity of light output, dimmers not only create ambiance but also save energy. When lights are dimmed, less electricity is consumed, resulting in lower energy bills and extended bulb life. Dimmers are particularly useful in areas where lighting needs vary, such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
Motion sensors will only turn the lights on when motion is detected, thus reducing overall electricity costs and cutting back on light pollution at night.
Timers enable users to schedule when lights turn on and off automatically, allowing for energy savings and added convenience. By programming lights to operate only when needed, homeowners can avoid unnecessary energy consumption during times of absence or when natural light is sufficient. For example, timers can be pre-set to turn off automatically whenever the environment is naturally bright.
In addition to dimmers, motion sensors, and timers, other tactics to reduce light pollution include switching to LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs), using only warm-colored bulbs, and employing outdoor lighting fixtures that shield the light source to minimize glare and light trespass.
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Shield outdoor light sources to minimise glare and light trespass
Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has several harmful effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life. One of the ways to beat light pollution in the city is to shield outdoor light sources to minimize glare and light trespass.
Light trespass is a term used to describe light that originates from one lighting system and adversely affects an adjacent property. It is often a concern in areas of high growth where commercial developments are constructed near residential areas. Light trespass can also occur if your neighbour adds a poorly planned outdoor lighting system.
Light glare is an intense light that hits your eye and disrupts your ability to see properly. It is the result of lighting that is not shielded or directed down toward the ground. It can come from a variety of light sources, such as street lights, a neighbour's light, or a nearby business.
To minimize glare and light trespass, you can use light shields to block the rays of your outdoor lights from trespassing. Light shields are usually made of metal and can be installed by gluing them to the corner of the light source. They are partial shields that stop the direction of your outdoor light in one or more directions. For example, you can use them to block the rays from travelling upwards to comply with dark sky rules or sideways to help out a neighbour.
When designing an outdoor lighting system, it is important to consider the location of the fixture, the angle the light is projected, and the fixture's ability to shield from glare. Choosing the right fixture, installing it properly, and having the right lighting design are critical for preventing glare and light trespass.
By shielding outdoor light sources and using light shields, you can minimize glare and light trespass, improving visibility at night and reducing the negative impact of light pollution on the environment and wildlife.
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Implement motion-sensitive street lighting to reduce wasted light
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 is essential to address light pollution, as it harms the environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life.
One effective way to reduce light pollution is to implement motion-sensitive street lighting. Motion-sensitive street lights, also known as motion sensor street lights, are equipped with occupancy sensors that detect when someone is in range. When triggered, the lights illuminate at 100% output, providing optimal visibility for pedestrians and drivers. However, when no motion is detected, the lights dim to a preset level or turn off completely. This feature not only reduces light pollution but also offers significant benefits.
By dimming or turning off when no one is around, motion-sensitive street lights help reduce wasted light and conserve energy. This reduction in energy waste leads to lower energy costs for municipalities, as street lights typically account for a significant portion of a city's energy bill. Additionally, with motion-sensitive street lights, maintenance costs are lowered. The reduced usage of luminaires prolongs their lifespan, resulting in fewer replacements and less maintenance crew time and equipment.
Furthermore, motion-sensitive street lighting improves safety and security. The lights automatically brighten in the presence of people or vehicles, enhancing visibility and reducing the risk of accidents. This dynamic lighting also acts as a crime deterrent, providing illumination where and when it is needed. Motion-sensitive street lights also offer remote diagnostics and automatic reporting, streamlining the maintenance process and reducing the need for manual inspections.
When implementing motion-sensitive street lighting, it is essential to consider lighting standards and regulations. The lighting level, number of fixtures, and wattage should be carefully determined to provide sufficient illumination without excessive luminous intensity. Additionally, the color temperature of the lights should be considered to minimize the emission of blue light, which has been shown to adversely affect human and animal vision and behavior. By following these guidelines, motion-sensitive street lighting can effectively reduce wasted light and contribute to a more sustainable and safer urban environment.
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Advocate for local lighting ordinances and regulations
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 many other sources. It is detrimental to human health and the environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life. It also impacts animal behaviours, such as migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation.
To beat light pollution in your city, you can advocate for local lighting ordinances and regulations. Here are some steps you can take:
- Educate yourself and others: Understand the negative impacts of light pollution and the benefits of dark skies. Share this knowledge with your community through events, brochures, and public awareness campaigns. Emphasize that reducing light pollution does not mean sacrificing safety or security.
- Build relationships: Collaborate with local astronomers, community members, police, and city planners to broaden awareness and support for better lighting practices. Address any concerns about compromising safety and highlight the positive impact of dark skies on the community.
- Learn from successful examples: Research and learn from other cities and towns that have successfully implemented outdoor lighting laws and regulations. For example, the city of Vélez-Málaga adopted a dimmable warm-white light system for its streets, improving illumination while reducing light pollution.
- Propose simple and direct regulations: Keep the language of the proposed regulations simple and direct, especially if they will be enforced by people with little or no lighting experience. Include illustrations or visuals that show examples of acceptable and unacceptable lighting fixtures and practices.
- Engage with decision-makers: Reach out to local lawmakers, city planners, and government officials who have the power to implement lighting ordinances. Express your concerns about light pollution and request their action. Provide them with information and resources to help them understand the issue and the potential benefits of good lighting regulations.
- Collaborate with businesses: Recognize and award businesses that comply with good lighting practices. For example, the author of the Sky & Telescope article presented the Good Neighbor Outdoor Lighting Award to a local car dealer who complied with Branford's lighting regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to reduce light pollution in your city. You can:
- Use dimmers, motion sensors, timers, and shields for light fixtures to reduce average illumination levels.
- Use warm-coloured bulbs, such as low-pressure sodium (LPS), high-pressure sodium (HPS), and low-CCT LEDs, to minimise blue light emissions.
- Advocate for motion-sensitive street lighting and ensure bulbs are covered and facing downwards to minimise wasted light.
- Support local initiatives and organisations working to reduce light pollution, such as through community education and advocacy for better lighting regulations.
Reducing light pollution has several advantages, including:
- Improving visibility of the night sky and celestial objects for astronomers and astrophotographers.
- Reducing energy costs and protecting the environment by lowering energy consumption.
- Minimising the negative impact on wildlife, such as disrupting migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation.
- Enhancing human health by reducing the disruption to natural body rhythms and sleeping patterns caused by artificial light.
Light pollution, particularly in cities, can significantly hinder astronomy and astrophotography by making it harder to observe and capture images of celestial objects. The brightening of the night sky due to artificial light sources, known as sky glow, reduces the visibility of stars and other astronomical phenomena. However, there are techniques and equipment modifications that can be employed to mitigate the impact of light pollution on astrophotography, such as using light pollution filters, modifying cameras for astro-photography, and utilising long exposures.
