Bronte Wells
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by excessive artificial light and can be harmful to humans, wildlife, and the climate. Light pollution can be a source of annoyance to people, damaging wildlife habitats, and undermining the enjoyment of the countryside or night sky. If you are experiencing light pollution, you can report it by filling out an online form provided by your local council. The process may vary depending on your location, but generally, you will need to provide your name, address, and contact information. It is helpful to include evidence, such as records, photos, or videos, to support your report.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of light pollution | Excessive artificial light that alters outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally |
| Who to contact | Local council or government body |
| What to provide | Name, address, email address, evidence (e.g. record of times, photos, or videos) |
| What happens next | The council or government body will decide whether to investigate. If they decide to, they will contact the person or business causing the light pollution and may serve an abatement notice. |
| What not to do | Remain anonymous—name and contact details will be required |
| What to do first | Approach your neighbour or the business politely and ask them to adjust their lighting |
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What You'll Learn
Report light pollution to your local council
Light pollution is the intrusion of overly bright or poorly directed lights onto neighbouring properties. This can include security lights from domestic or commercial premises and floodlighting. Light pollution is considered unreasonable and a nuisance under the law.
If you are experiencing light pollution, you can report it to your local council. The process may vary depending on your location, but here are some general steps to follow:
- Try resolving the issue informally: Before involving the council, consider approaching your neighbour or the owner of the lighting to explain the situation. Often, they may be unaware of the problem, and a simple adjustment, such as using a lower wattage bulb or adjusting the placement of the lights, can resolve the issue.
- Contact your local council: If the direct approach does not work or you are unable to contact your neighbour, you can report the light pollution to your local council. You can usually find their contact information on their website. Look for a dedicated page on pollution or environmental issues.
- Provide necessary information: When reporting light pollution, be prepared to provide your name, address, and contact information. It would also be helpful to keep a record of the times when the light is a problem and any other relevant details, such as the location and duration of the light intrusion. You may also be asked to provide evidence, such as photos or videos, to support your claim.
- Understand the council's investigation process: Once the council receives your complaint, they will assess whether the light pollution constitutes a statutory nuisance as defined by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. They will consider factors such as the time of day, location, duration, frequency, and effect of the lighting on the use and enjoyment of your property.
- Abatement notice: If the council determines that the light pollution is a statutory nuisance, they will serve an abatement notice on the person or business responsible. This notice will outline the necessary actions to reduce light pollution and the timeframe for compliance. The council will typically keep your details confidential and will not release them to the person causing the nuisance without your consent.
Remember that the specific procedures and regulations may vary depending on your location, so be sure to check with your local council for the most accurate information.
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Provide evidence of light pollution
Evidence of light pollution can be provided in several ways, depending on the context and the specific type of light pollution being reported. Here are some methods to provide evidence:
- Record the times when the light is a problem: Keep a log of the dates, times, and duration of excessive light occurrences. This can help establish a pattern and demonstrate the persistence of the issue.
- Take photos or videos: Visual evidence can be powerful in supporting your claim. Capture images or recordings that showcase the extent of the light pollution, ideally including the source of the light pollution and its impact on the surrounding area.
- Use light measurement tools: Instruments such as a Sky Quality Meter (SQM) can measure night sky brightness (NSB) and provide quantitative data to support your claim. These tools are used by both professional observatories and citizen scientists.
- Reference health and ecological impacts: Research and document any known health or ecological consequences associated with the light pollution. For example, studies have linked light pollution to potential health risks, such as an increased risk of certain cancers and disruption to human melatonin production. Additionally, light pollution can negatively impact wildlife behaviour, migratory patterns, breeding cycles, and the natural illumination cycles near coastal areas.
- Compare with unaffected areas: If possible, provide a comparison between the light-polluted area and an unaffected area. This can help demonstrate the contrast and the extent to which artificial light has altered the natural lighting conditions.
- Contact relevant authorities: Reach out to local or governmental agencies responsible for managing light pollution. They may have specific guidelines, forms, or procedures for reporting and providing evidence of light pollution. These entities can also provide guidance on the necessary steps to mitigate the issue.
Remember, when reporting light pollution, it is essential to follow any official guidelines provided by local authorities. The evidence you provide should be accurate, detailed, and relevant to the specific light pollution issue you are reporting.
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Understand what constitutes light pollution
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is a side effect of industrial civilization and can be caused by building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, illuminated sporting venues, and even fireworks. Light pollution occurs in three ways: glare, light trespass, and skyglow.
Glare is the bright and uncomfortable light shining directly at an observer that interferes with their vision. Light trespass is the unintended spill of artificial light into another person's property or space and often becomes a source of conflict. Skyglow, one of the most pervasive forms of light pollution, is the brightening of the night sky from human-caused light scattered in the atmosphere. Skyglow turns night into day for people who work and play long after sunset. It also reduces the ability of astronomers to view celestial objects and makes it difficult for people in cities with high levels of sky glow to see more than a handful of stars at night.
Artificial light can wreak havoc on the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals. Nocturnal light interrupts sleep and confuses the circadian rhythm, which is the internal, twenty-four-hour clock that guides day and night activities and affects physiological processes in nearly all living organisms. One of these processes is the production of the hormone melatonin, which is released when it is dark and is inhibited when there is light present. An increased amount of light at night lowers melatonin production, which results in sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. Studies also show a connection between reduced melatonin levels and cancer.
Light pollution also disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, increases the impacts of climate change, and can have adverse effects on humans and wildlife. It can negatively affect migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals.
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How to reduce light pollution
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has harmful effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life. To reduce light pollution, individuals can take several steps, including:
Report Light Pollution to Local Authorities:
If you are experiencing light pollution from a neighbour or business, you can report it to your local authorities. Most councils have online forms where you can submit your concerns. You may be asked to provide evidence, such as records of the times the light is a problem, photos, or videos. Your name and contact details will typically be kept confidential.
Advocate for Better Lighting Practices:
Join organisations like DarkSky International, which works to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution. They help establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution and provide education on the harmful effects of excessive artificial light. By banding together with other citizens, you can advocate for local legislation and ordinances that address light pollution.
Choose Responsible Outdoor Lighting:
When selecting outdoor lighting for your home or business, opt for lighting products and designs that are certified to reduce light pollution. Properly designed lighting can be beautiful, healthy, and functional. Consider factors such as the lighting's impact on the surrounding environment and nearby wildlife habitats. Avoid unnecessary artificial light, especially near intrinsically dark landscapes like national parks and nature reserves that support native nocturnal animals.
Implement Mitigation Measures:
If you are involved in development or planning, carefully consider the impact of lighting installations on the surrounding area. Reflect on whether the proposed lighting may affect sensitive sites or species, such as wildlife receptors, water bodies, or areas with intrinsically dark landscapes. Put suitable mitigation measures in place to avoid significant adverse effects on residents or users of the proposed development. Ensure that lighting schemes are well-designed and comply with any applicable planning practice guidance.
By following these steps and working together, we can reduce light pollution and minimise its harmful effects on our environment, wildlife, and enjoyment of the night sky.
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The impact of light pollution on wildlife
Light pollution, defined as excessive artificial light, has a significant impact on wildlife and ecosystems. It radically alters the nighttime environment, disrupting the natural rhythm of day and night that is encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. This disruption can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from individual behaviours to entire ecosystems.
One of the most vulnerable groups affected by light pollution is nocturnal animals. These creatures have evolved to rely on the cover of darkness for essential activities such as breeding, foraging, and migrating. Artificial light can disrupt these behaviours, negatively impacting their health and reproductive success. For example, the glare from streetlights can interfere with the nighttime croaking of frogs and toads, which is part of their breeding ritual. It can also attract insects, birds, sea turtles, and other organisms, exhausting or killing them, or making them more susceptible to predators.
Light pollution can also alter the day/night patterns of wildlife, affecting sleep and the downtime needed for the body to repair itself. It can also impact the feeding habits of animals. For example, some small mammals, such as mice, eat less in lit areas to avoid predators, while their predators, such as foxes, may be attracted to these lit areas for easy prey.
Additionally, light pollution can impact wetland habitats and the breeding and feeding habits of amphibians. It can also affect the behaviour of birds, bats, and other creatures that view lights from above or below. For instance, fledging seabirds may be prevented from taking their first flight, as they only fly under the cover of darkness.
To mitigate the impact of light pollution on wildlife, it is essential to follow best practices in lighting design and planning. This includes considering the impact of artificial light on neighbouring wildlife and conducting environmental impact assessments. Implementing measures such as low, shielded, and long-wavelength lighting can reduce the amount of glare and light visible to animals, minimising the disruption to their natural behaviours and habitats.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. Artificial light has the potential to become a source of light pollution and can be harmful to humans, wildlife, and the climate.
Light pollution is harmful to wildlife habitats and our quality of life. It threatens aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. It also impacts our ability to see the night sky.
If your neighbour or a nearby business has installed artificial lighting that is causing excessive brightness, you may be experiencing light pollution. Common issues reported include security lights and floodlighting.
If you are experiencing light pollution, try speaking politely to your neighbour about the issue and suggest possible solutions, such as re-angling the light or using a lower-powered bulb. If this is unsuccessful, you may be able to report the light pollution to your local council.
You can report light pollution to your local council by filling out an online form. You will need to provide your name, address, and contact details, as well as any relevant evidence such as photos or videos. The council will then review your report and decide on the appropriate course of action.
