Meghan Hodges
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is a serious threat to both human and wildlife health, with the potential to disrupt the functioning of ecosystems. Nocturnal light can confuse the natural circadian rhythm, which guides day and night activities and affects physiological processes in nearly all living organisms. Light pollution also reduces our ability to observe the stars and other celestial objects, with over 80% of the world's population and 99% of Americans and Europeans living under sky glow. To prevent light pollution, individuals, institutions, and governments should take actions to limit light pollution, including changing light bulbs and fixtures, adopting measures governing development around biodiversity and protected areas, and creating and promoting dark-sky areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. |
| Sources | Street lamps, parking lots, shopping malls, exterior lights, neon signs, illuminated signboards, cars, offices, factories, buildings, advertising, commercial properties, wind turbines, aircraft warning lights, greenhouses, satellites. |
| Effects | Disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, affects human health and safety, wastes energy, affects wildlife behaviour, reduces ability to observe stars and celestial objects, affects plant phenology, disorients migrating birds, affects mating and feeding behaviours, affects marine life. |
| Solutions | Use full cutoff lighting fixtures, space lights appropriately, use minimum light intensity, use timers and occupancy sensors, use shielding to reduce glare and light trespass, establish codes and statutes, enact local legislation, use Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems, turn off lights when not needed. |
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What You'll Learn
Reduce sky glow
Sky glow is the brightening of the night sky, usually over urban areas, due to the electric lights of cars, streetlamps, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and buildings. It is one of the most pervasive forms of light pollution, with 99% of Americans and Europeans living under sky glow.
- Use full cutoff lighting fixtures, which reduce the chance for light to escape above the horizontal plane. Light released above the horizontal often serves no purpose and contributes to sky glow.
- Space out your lights. Clustering lights together creates more light pollution and reduces visibility due to increased glare.
- Use bulbs that are less than 500 lumens. Lights that edge into the cool or blue colour temperature spectrum also affect wildlife like insects and birds more as they are attracted to this type of light. Instead, opt for warm white light, red light, or lights with a warmer colour temperature.
- Use shielded or hooded lights, downlights, or point your lights downwards to direct light to the feature you want to illuminate and reduce light spillage into the atmosphere.
- Reduce the time your lights are on with timers, motion sensors, and dimmers.
- Only add the light you need to your outdoor lighting scheme. Only illuminate essential features like paths, steps, and doorways, and reduce the number of non-essential aesthetic lights.
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Reduce glare
Light pollution is a serious issue that affects human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe the night sky. One of the ways to prevent light pollution is to reduce glare.
Glare is a direct form of light pollution that causes a glow across the field of view, reducing contrast and making it difficult to see at night. It can be caused by unshielded lights, excessive light, or blue light, which has a larger geographic reach and creates more glare. To reduce glare, it is recommended to use shielded lights, also known as light shrouds or glare shields, which focus light downward or inward, preventing it from spreading in unwanted directions. These shields can be attached to the top or sides of light fixtures and are especially useful in stadiums or sports settings to limit glare for players and spectators.
In addition to light shields, dimming lights to provide the right amount of light and turning off unnecessary lights can also help reduce glare. Utilizing LEDs or compact fluorescents (CFLs) can further reduce glare as they have a more focused light beam and better dimming capabilities. Shades, covers, or curtains can also be used to block or reduce light entering a room or escaping outside, minimizing glare and light trespass.
By implementing these strategies, we can effectively reduce glare and contribute to the global effort to minimize light pollution and its negative impacts on humans, wildlife, and the environment.
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Reduce light trespass
Light trespass is a common problem in areas of high growth where commercial developments are constructed near residential or suburban areas. Light trespass occurs when a strong light enters a home from outside, causing issues like sleep deprivation.
To reduce light trespass, it is critical to understand the techniques used to address it. Firstly, limit the use of floodlights in areas close to residential properties. Instead, opt for solar security lighting with motion sensors, so that lights only turn on when needed. Utilize full cutoff lighting fixtures as much as possible to reduce the chance of light escaping above the horizontal plane. Ensure lights are spaced appropriately for maximum efficiency, and that the number and wattage of luminaires match the needs of the application, adhering to local lighting design standards.
When designing an outdoor lighting system, consider the location of the fixture, the angle of projection, and the fixture's ability to shield from glare. Choose the right fixture, install it properly, and design the lighting layout carefully to prevent glare and light trespass. Avoid using lights that are too bright, and ensure they are aimed or tilted correctly. Use dark sky light fixtures, practical brightness levels, and proper placement to control light trespass.
If you are experiencing light trespass from a neighbour, start by politely explaining the situation and how it is affecting you. Your neighbour may be unaware of the issue and willing to adjust the lighting or install shades. If they are resistant, you can offer to share the cost of adjustments or seek mediation to find a compromise. As a last resort, you may need to send a demand letter through an attorney or file a lawsuit for nuisance.
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Reduce clutter
Light clutter is the redundant clustering of lighting found in many urban centres. It is a significant contributor to light pollution, which is a growing global issue.
To reduce clutter, it is important to first determine where light is essential and where it is not. In areas where light is not necessary, such as parks and facilities, artificial lighting can be minimised or eliminated. This can be achieved by using timers, motion sensors, or dimmers to ensure non-essential lights are turned off when not in use.
For areas where lighting is required, it is important to use the minimum intensity of light necessary. This can be done by choosing warm-coloured lights with a reduced blue spectrum, as white and blue lights affect wildlife more than warmer colours. Dimmable light fixtures allow for adjustable illumination, and products with the DarkSky Fixture Seal of Approval are specifically designed to control light pollution.
Another way to reduce clutter is to properly maintain lighting fixtures. Wind, storms, and pole damage can cause lighting to become misaligned, leading to uneven or misdirected light. By keeping fixtures well-maintained, light can be directed downwards, reducing sky glow and light trespass.
In addition, raising awareness about the impacts of light pollution can help reduce clutter. This includes educating communities about the negative effects of light pollution on human health, wildlife, and the environment, as well as promoting the benefits of reducing light pollution, such as improved visibility, energy savings, and ecological preservation.
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Use timers and sensors
Light pollution is a global issue that poses a serious threat to human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects. It is caused by the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, affecting the natural day/night cycle that humans and other organisms have become accustomed to.
One effective way to reduce light pollution is to use timers and sensors to control lighting. Timers can be set to turn off lights automatically when they are not needed, such as during the daytime or when the environment is naturally bright. This ensures that lights are only on when necessary, reducing light trespass and glare, and saving energy.
Occupancy sensors or motion sensors are another useful tool, as they ensure that lights are only activated when someone is present in a room or area. This is particularly useful for security lighting, which should only be turned on when a security alarm is triggered. Motion sensors can also be used to reduce the overall electricity costs while cutting back on light pollution.
Timers and sensors can also be used in combination with other techniques to further reduce light pollution. For example, lights can be dimmed using dimmers to provide the right amount of light while still saving energy and reducing light pollution. In addition, using warm-coloured bulbs, such as yellow, red, or amber lights, can reduce the negative effects of lighting at night as they don't affect nighttime vision.
By using timers and sensors, individuals, communities, and organizations can play a role in reducing light pollution and its harmful effects on the environment, human health, and wildlife. It is important to note that light pollution is a human-made issue, and by altering outdoor light levels, we can negatively impact many parts of our world.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. Common sources of light pollution include street lamps, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights, and illuminated signs.
Light pollution has been shown to negatively impact human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects. Nocturnal light interrupts sleep and confuses the circadian rhythm, which guides day and night activities and affects physiological processes in nearly all living organisms. Light pollution also affects the behaviour of animals, including migration, reproduction, hunting, and feeding.
Possible solutions to reduce light pollution include using light sources of minimum intensity necessary, turning off lights when not needed, using timers or occupancy sensors, and shielding lights to reduce glare.
Light pollution can come in several forms, including sky glow, light trespass, glare, and over-illumination. Sky glow refers to the brightening of the night sky due to electric lights, while light trespass occurs when unwanted light escapes from one property into adjacent properties. Glare refers to excessive light that causes poor visibility, and over-illumination is the use of excessive light where it is not needed.
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