Greta Jimenez
Light and sound pollution are two types of pollution that have been on the rise in recent years. Light pollution, caused by the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from their natural state, has led to 80% of the world's population living under sky glow, with 99% of Americans and Europeans unable to experience a natural night. Sound pollution, on the other hand, is the unwanted propagation of noise with harmful effects on humans and animals. Both types of pollution have been linked to various health issues, including sleep deprivation, cardiovascular problems, and stress, highlighting the need for better management of light and sound levels in our environment.
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What You'll Learn
Light pollution's impact on wildlife
Light pollution, defined as the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, has a range of impacts on wildlife. Firstly, it can attract certain organisms, such as moths, frogs, and sea turtles, making them an easy target for predators or resulting in their death due to exhaustion. This also disrupts food webs, as some predators exploit this attraction to their advantage. For example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) biologist Roger Tabor observed that juvenile salmon were drawn to patches of water lit by artificial lights, making them vulnerable to predators such as great blue herons.
Secondly, artificial light can repel some organisms, causing habitat loss and exclusion from areas where they could otherwise survive. This fragmentation of usable habitat affects the physiology and behaviour of animals, birds, insects, and even plants, contributing to the decline of insect and bird populations. For instance, the threatened western snowy plover avoids roosting on beaches with artificial light brighter than a half-moon.
Thirdly, light pollution alters the day-night patterns of wildlife, disrupting their sleep and reproduction cycles. This can impact a variety of species, including amphibians like frogs and toads, whose nighttime croaking is part of their breeding ritual.
Lastly, artificial light can interfere with the navigation and feeding patterns of nocturnal animals, such as bats, and migratory birds. The glare from lights can disorient birds, causing them to collide with buildings or get trapped in endless circles within the cone of light, leading to exhaustion or death.
Overall, light pollution has far-reaching consequences for wildlife, affecting their behaviour, reproduction, and survival. It is crucial to address this issue to mitigate the harm caused to ecosystems and the environment.
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Sky glow
Light pollution, also known as skyglow, is a global issue. It refers to the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, which negatively impacts the environment, human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects.
Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky, mostly over urban areas, due to various artificial light sources such as electric lights from cars, streetlamps, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and buildings. This phenomenon turns night into day for people who live and work long after sunset. More than 80% of the world's population, including 99% of Americans and Europeans, live under skyglow, unable to experience a natural night sky.
The impact of skyglow is evident in many places, including national parks. For example, Joshua Tree National Park is affected by light pollution from neighbouring cities like Los Angeles and Palm Springs, making it challenging to maintain clear night skies. Even in remote locations like Death Valley, the glow from distant cities can be seen from hundreds of miles away, further contributing to the issue.
Scientists define skyglow as "an increase in the apparent brightness of the sky." It often appears as a dome of light over cities, towns, and the infrastructure connecting them. This effect reduces the contrast between celestial objects and the sky, making it harder to observe faint stars, galaxies, and other astronomical phenomena. Astronomers are particularly concerned about skyglow as it hinders their ability to view and study the universe.
Unlike other types of light pollution, skyglow cannot be traced to a single source. However, by addressing local zoning laws and construction codes, and making thoughtful choices about lighting technology, it is possible to mitigate the effects of skyglow and reduce its impact on our environment and our connection to the natural night sky.
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Sound pollution's health effects
Noise pollution, also called "environmental noise", refers to any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being of humans and other organisms. Tens of millions of Americans suffer from a range of adverse health outcomes due to noise exposure.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most reported health problem associated with high exposure to noise pollution. Approximately 10 million people in the US have permanent hearing loss from environmental noise or noise-related trauma. Children with NIHL suffer from decreased educational achievement and impaired social-emotional development, scoring significantly lower on basic skills and exhibiting behavioural problems and lower self-esteem.
Chronic noise exposure also contributes to heart disease. A 2023 report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee found that noise and light pollution contribute to a range of adverse health outcomes, including heart disease and premature death. The report also concluded that these effects are "poorly understood and poorly regulated".
Noise pollution can also cause stress and annoyance, which can lead to increased sympathetic tone, especially in noise-sensitive individuals. This can result in health risks such as fatigue, headaches, nervousness, depression, and anger. Additionally, the more people are bothered by noise, the greater the health risks they face.
It is important to note that certain groups, such as those in neighbourhoods with low socioeconomic status and higher proportions of residents of colour, are disproportionately affected by noise pollution. This highlights the need for collective solutions rather than placing the burden of protection on individuals.
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Light pollution's health effects
Light pollution refers to excessive artificial lighting that can have various detrimental effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK recognises light pollution as "a source of annoyance to people, harmful to wildlife, and undermining enjoyment of the countryside or the night sky".
Health Effects of Light Pollution
The human body has evolved to follow a natural cycle of bright days and dark nights. However, with the introduction of artificial lighting, nights have become increasingly brighter, leading to a range of health issues. One of the primary health consequences of light pollution is its impact on sleep. Excessive light exposure at night, especially from bright screens and LED bulbs, can trigger insomnia and disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm. This disruption is caused by the suppression of melatonin production, a crucial sleep hormone with anti-inflammatory and tumour-inhibiting properties. A study among Chinese adults found that bedroom light pollution resulted in more fragmented sleep and reduced total sleep time.
The blue light emitted by LED bulbs has been found to be particularly harmful, with retired cardiologist Mario Motta stating that it has ten times the effect of melatonin suppression compared to red light. This disruption to the body's natural cycles and melatonin deficiency can have far-reaching health implications, including an increased risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
The effects of light pollution extend beyond physical health, with potential mental health implications as well. The excessive lighting of neighbourhoods, often in an effort to deter crime, has been described as an "environmental justice issue" by urban ecologist Travis Longcore. This form of light pollution disproportionately affects minority communities and can impact their well-being.
To mitigate the health effects of light pollution, it is recommended to reduce exposure to artificial light, especially before sleep. This can be achieved by turning off lights and electronic devices, and opting for dim red nightlights instead of regular room lights when needed.
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Legislation and light pollution
Light pollution is a growing concern for its adverse impacts on astronomy, the environment, biodiversity, human health, and energy use. The regulatory framework against light pollution is complex, diverse, and lacks coherence, with various international frameworks and governments taking separate, uncoordinated actions.
The first legislation to protect the nocturnal environment was adopted in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, in 1958. Initially, measures against light pollution aimed to provide the minimum necessary conditions for astronomical activities and maximize energy efficiency. Since then, the regulatory framework has evolved, with many countries contemplating the adoption of laws and policies to address light pollution.
In the UK, the first law tackling light pollution came into force in 2006 under Section 102 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (2005). This law treats exterior lighting as a 'Statutory Nuisance', allowing local councils to take legal action as it is a criminal offense for exterior light to be 'prejudicial to health or a nuisance'. However, it only addresses incidents of particularly bad lighting that causes a real nuisance, and there is a need for a more unified approach to tackle transboundary light pollution effectively.
Organizations like DarkSky International advocate for policy priorities that reduce light pollution and promote quality outdoor lighting. They have been involved in various efforts to influence lawmaking and oversight bodies worldwide to formulate, adopt, implement, and evaluate public policies on outdoor lighting. DarkSky has also partnered with government entities to support policy priorities, minimize light pollution, and promote energy-efficient lighting technologies.
To address light pollution effectively, researchers and policymakers must work together to implement solutions such as dimming lights, pointing them toward the ground, and opting for longer-wavelength bulbs. Additionally, industry-set standards for lighting choices should be balanced with environmentally friendly lighting designs that direct light only where it is needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is unwanted or excessive artificial light. It is caused by the electric lights of cars, streetlamps, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and buildings, turning night into day for people who work long after sunset. Light pollution can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. It can also affect wildlife, such as birds and sea turtles, by disrupting their migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation.
Sound pollution, or noise pollution, refers to unwanted or excessive noise that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. It can come from various sources, such as road transportation and commercial activities, and has been linked to an increased risk of diseases related to the nervous, digestive, and immune systems.
Prolonged exposure to light and sound pollution can disrupt the natural circadian rhythm in humans, leading to potential health risks such as breast cancer and heart disease. Additionally, light pollution can cause visual discomfort and sleep disturbances, while sound pollution can impact mental health and acoustic comfort.
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