Bronte Wells
Light pollution is a pressing global issue, with 83% of people, including 99% of Europeans and Americans, living under light-polluted skies. The primary sources of light pollution are cities, with their excessive artificial lighting at night, which has detrimental effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment. There are three main types of light pollution: glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Glare is excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort and can interfere with vision. Light trespass occurs when unwanted light enters someone's property, causing issues like sleep deprivation. Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky due to human-caused light scattered in the atmosphere, reducing the visibility of stars and other celestial objects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Glare | Excessive brightness that can cause visual discomfort, for example, when driving |
| Light Trespass | Unwanted light entering one's property, such as a streetlight shining into a bedroom |
| Skyglow | Brightening of the night sky caused by human-made light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere |
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What You'll Learn
- Skyglow: the brightening of the night sky due to human-caused light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere
- Light trespass: unwanted light entering a property, such as a neighbour's light shining over a fence
- Glare: excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort and interferes with vision
- Clutter: confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
- Over-illumination: light that is inefficient, annoying, and unnecessary
Skyglow: the brightening of the night sky due to human-caused light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere
Light pollution is a pressing global issue, with 83% of people, including 99% of Europeans and Americans, living under light-polluted skies. One of the three ways in which light pollution appears is skyglow. Skyglow refers to the brightening of the night sky, predominantly over urban areas, due to human-caused light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is caused by a multitude of sources, including electric lights from cars, streetlamps, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and buildings. The excessive artificial lighting turns night into day for people living and working in cities, obscuring our view of the natural night sky.
The impact of skyglow extends far beyond a mere reduction in the visibility of the stars and the Milky Way. It has been shown to negatively affect the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment. In terms of human health, artificial light exposure at night can interfere with the production of hormones and disrupt the circadian rhythm, leading to serious health consequences. The brightening of the night sky also confuses and disorients migratory birds and sea turtles, causing them to lose their way and often resulting in death. Furthermore, large numbers of insects are drawn to artificial lights, leading to their instant death upon contact with the light sources, which in turn affects the food sources for birds and other animals.
The issue of skyglow is not limited to urban environments, as the glow from cities has been observed at distances exceeding 200 miles from national parks, impacting the natural darkness of these protected areas. The brightening of the night sky is influenced by air pollution and other atmospheric conditions, which scatter artificial light and make the sky appear even brighter. The atmosphere contains various particles, including molecules of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, and carbon dioxide, as well as aerosols like dust, soot, salts, and chemical precipitates. The scattering of light by these particles is influenced by factors such as aerosol content, moisture levels, and altitude, with higher aerosol content resulting in larger and brighter light domes.
To address the issue of skyglow, organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association have developed model lighting ordinances to reduce the amount of light emitted upwards into the sky. Additionally, communities in places like Flagstaff, Arizona, have implemented legislative efforts to reduce light pollution, with measures such as turning off unnecessary outdoor lights and using timers for stadium lighting. These collective efforts aim to mitigate the adverse effects of skyglow on human health, wildlife, and the environment, striving to restore the natural darkness of the night sky.
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Light trespass: unwanted light entering a property, such as a neighbour's light shining over a fence
Light trespass is a common issue, particularly in urban areas, where artificial light enters a property without invitation. This can occur when a neighbour's light shines over a fence, or into a window, causing problems such as sleep deprivation. Light trespass is an issue that can often be resolved through simple measures, but it is also a serious problem that can lead to conflict and legal action.
Light trespass is a form of light pollution, and it is important to understand the impact of unwanted light on a person's property. It can cause visual discomfort and a loss of enjoyment of their own space. Light trespass can also have a significant impact on a person's health, with studies showing that artificial light can affect the wake-sleep cycle, causing serious health consequences.
The most common cause of light trespass is poorly positioned lighting. This can include individual light fixtures on homes, ambient building lighting, or even sports arena lighting. Light trespass is often a problem in urban areas, where light from streets or advertising can enter homes. However, it is not limited to cities, and can also occur in more remote locations.
There are several ways to prevent and resolve light trespass. The most obvious solution is to turn off lights when they are not needed. It is also important to consider the positioning of lights, and to ensure they are directed downwards, and do not shine into a neighbour's property. Installing physical barriers, such as fences or netting, can also help to block unwanted light.
If you are experiencing light trespass, it is recommended to first speak to your neighbour about the issue. They may not be aware of the problem, and could be willing to reposition their lights or install shades. If this does not resolve the issue, you may need to seek mediation or legal action.
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Glare: excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort and interferes with vision
Glare is one of the three ways in which light pollution appears, alongside clutter and light trespass. It is characterised by excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort and interferes with vision.
Glare can be understood as a bright and uncomfortable light shining directly towards an observer, impairing their vision. This phenomenon is often experienced by drivers, who may find themselves temporarily blinded by the excessive brightness of certain lights, such as the high beams of oncoming vehicles or poorly designed streetlights.
The impact of glare is not limited to discomfort and visual impairment. It can also have significant implications for human health and well-being. Artificial light, especially at night, can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm, leading to serious health consequences due to a lack of consistent and restorative sleep. This disruption can occur through both direct and indirect exposure to artificial light. In a direct impact scenario, artificial light from sources like streetlights or neighbouring buildings can reach people indoors at night, affecting the production of hormones and other bodily functions. In an indirect impact, artificial light may disturb individuals, leading them to turn on additional lights and expose themselves to further illumination.
The issue of glare is particularly prominent in urban areas, where the excessive use of artificial lighting is common. Cities tend to have a high concentration of unshielded and improperly directed lights, which contribute to glare and light pollution. This includes streetlights, advertising billboards, office buildings, and factories, all of which can emit bright light that interferes with the natural darkness of the night sky.
To mitigate the effects of glare, it is essential to reduce the amount of unnecessary artificial light. This can be achieved through measures such as turning off unneeded outdoor lights, using timers for lighting in stadiums and parking lots, and implementing well-designed lighting plans that minimise glare and light trespass. By addressing the issue of glare, we can improve visual comfort, enhance night vision, and promote healthier sleep patterns for individuals affected by light pollution.
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Clutter: confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
Clutter, one of the three ways in which light pollution appears, refers to confusing and excessive groupings of light sources. This type of light pollution is characterised by bright, chaotic, and overwhelming clusters of artificial lights that can have various detrimental effects.
Clutter is commonly observed in urban areas where there is a high concentration of light sources. This includes street lights, advertising billboards, buildings, and vehicles. The excessive and disorderly arrangement of these lights can create a dazzling and disorienting environment, impacting both people and wildlife.
One of the primary concerns with light clutter is its potential to cause visual discomfort and confusion. The abundance of bright lights in close proximity can overwhelm the visual senses, making it challenging for individuals to focus or distinguish individual light sources. This confusion can be particularly hazardous in certain contexts, such as driving, where cluttered lighting can distract drivers, obscure obstacles, and increase the risk of accidents.
Additionally, light clutter can have broader ecological implications. The excessive use of artificial lights contributes to sky glow, the brightening of the night sky caused by light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere. This phenomenon obscures the natural darkness and makes it difficult to observe celestial objects such as stars, nebulae, and galaxies. It also disrupts the natural behaviours of wildlife, including migration patterns, sleep-wake cycles, and habitat formation.
To address the issue of light clutter, it is essential to implement thoughtful lighting design and regulations. This includes strategically positioning lights to minimise clutter, using timers to turn off unnecessary lights, and adopting dark sky initiatives to preserve natural darkness. By taking these measures, we can reduce the negative impacts of light clutter and strive for a more balanced and sustainable approach to lighting our surroundings.
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Over-illumination: light that is inefficient, annoying, and unnecessary
Light pollution is a pressing global issue, impacting the environment, human health and physiology, and wildlife. One of the three ways light pollution appears is through over-illumination, which occurs when artificial outdoor lighting becomes inefficient, annoying, and unnecessary. This often happens when lighting is poorly positioned, sending wasted electricity up into the sky, rather than illuminating the intended area.
Over-illumination can be observed in various settings, such as empty parking lots that remain lit all night, car dealerships, shopping malls, and industrial lots. Similarly, sports fields and stadiums with poorly designed lighting contribute to over-illumination, affecting adjacent open spaces and parks, which serve as habitats for wildlife. The excessive use of lighting in these contexts not only wastes energy but also contributes to the brightening of the night sky, known as sky glow.
The impact of over-illumination on the night sky is significant. Sky glow is caused by artificial light reflecting off particles in the atmosphere, such as water droplets, dust, and air pollutants. This phenomenon obscures our view of the natural night sky, making it difficult to observe celestial objects like stars, nebulae, and galaxies. The brightening of the night sky is not limited to urban areas, as the glow from cities has been observed at distances over 200 miles from national parks.
The consequences of over-illumination extend beyond the aesthetic enjoyment of the night sky. Artificial light exposure at night can interfere with the production of hormones in humans, impacting their health and circadian rhythm. Additionally, wildlife, such as sea turtles, birds, and insects, rely on natural light patterns for migration, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation. Over-illumination confuses and disorients these creatures, leading to detrimental effects on their behaviour and survival.
To address over-illumination, it is essential to implement efficient lighting plans and technologies. This can include turning off unnecessary outdoor lights, using timers, and adopting well-designed lighting fixtures that direct light downwards, minimising its impact on the night sky. By reducing over-illumination, we can mitigate the negative consequences of light pollution on both human health and the natural world.
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