Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is a pressing issue that has harmful effects on both humans and wildlife. Caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light, light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has been linked to a range of adverse effects, including health issues, ecological disturbances, and economic costs. Light pollution comes in several forms, including glare, light trespass, skyglow, and light clutter, each causing unique challenges and requiring specific interventions. While it is often a side effect of industrial activities and modern urban life, addressing light pollution is crucial for the well-being of people, animals, and the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pollution | Light pollution is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. |
| Sources | Street lamps, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights, streetlights, neon signs, illuminated signboards, cars, offices, factories, boats, buildings, fireworks, greenhouses, satellites, advertising, commercial properties, illuminated sporting venues |
| Effects | Loss of contrast, obscured night vision, adverse effects on birds and other migratory animals, degradation of environmental quality, health issues, sleep disorders, depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc. |
| Solutions | Adjusting light fixtures, using appropriate light bulbs, public education, legislative change, using timers and sensors, using the right color of light, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Glare, clutter, and light trespass
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. It has been shown to have harmful effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment. Specific categories of light pollution include glare, clutter, and light trespass.
Glare
Glare is excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort and can be a safety concern. It is caused by light shining directly from the source into the eye, constricting the pupil and making it difficult to see into the shadows, thereby decreasing visibility. This can lead to accidents, especially when driving. Glare also impacts the ability of our eyes to adjust to low-light conditions. Direct glare from light fixtures can also negatively impact nighttime recreation experiences.
Clutter
Clutter refers to bright, confusing, or excessive groupings of light sources. It is particularly problematic while driving at night. Clutter can cause unsafe glare, and lead to an inability to see far beyond the light sources. Times Square in New York City is an example of light clutter.
Light Trespass
Light trespass is when light falls into or shines across someone else's property or space where it is not intended or needed, such as a streetlight illuminating a nearby bedroom window. It often becomes a source of conflict. Shielding and aiming lights so that they do not extend beyond one's property line is the best solution.
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Over-illumination and light clutter
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Over-illumination and light clutter are two of the categories of light pollution. Over-illumination is the excessive and unnecessary use of light. A large amount of electricity is required to support light consumption in certain countries. For example, in 2020, US homes consumed 81 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity for lighting, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Over-illumination can constitute energy wastage, especially with upward-directed lighting at night. Energy wastage is also a waste of cost and carbon footprint. However, this can be easily reduced by shielding lights properly, and only using light when and where it is needed. The use of more appropriate light bulbs and adjusting light fixtures can also help to reduce over-illumination.
Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights. Light clutter can generate confusion, distract from obstacles (including those that they may be intended to illuminate), and can be blinding. An example of light clutter is Times Square in New York City, New York.
Light pollution has increased globally by at least 49% from 1992 to 2017. It is a major side effect of urbanisation, and 83% of the world's people live under light-polluted skies. Light pollution is detrimental to the health of people and animals, and it also spoils aesthetic environments. It can suppress melatonin production, leading to sleep disorders and other health problems such as increased headaches, worker fatigue, medically defined stress, some forms of obesity, and increased anxiety. Light pollution also has ties to a couple of types of cancer.
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Skyglow and light's impact on wildlife
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow.
Skyglow and Lights Impact on Wildlife
Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky, mostly over urban areas, due to electric lights from cars, streetlamps, offices, factories, outdoor advertising, and buildings. More than 80% of the world's population and 99% of Americans and Europeans live under skyglow.
Artificial light can disrupt the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals. Nocturnal light can interrupt sleep and confuse the circadian rhythm, the internal 24-hour clock that guides day and night activities and affects physiological processes in nearly all living beings.
Light pollution can also impact animal behaviours such as migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation. Sea turtles and birds that rely on moonlight during migration can get confused, lose their way, and often die.
Artificial lights can also create a fatal attraction for insects, which are a primary food source for birds and other animals. Insects are drawn to the light and are instantly killed upon contact with light sources. Birds can also become disoriented and collide with over-lit structures, resulting in death.
In addition, artificial lighting can act as a form of habitat loss for certain species. For example, frogs and toads rely on nocturnal croaking as part of their breeding ritual. Artificial lights can disrupt this nocturnal activity, interfering with reproduction and reducing populations.
Overall, skyglow and artificial lights can have significant impacts on the behaviours, habitats, and survival of various wildlife species.
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Light's impact on human health
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow.
Lights impact on human health
The human body has become accustomed to a day/night cycle of 12 hours of natural light and 12 hours of darkness. This cycle is a part of our circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal clock that guides our day and night activities and affects our physiological processes. Artificial light, especially at night, can disrupt this cycle, causing insomnia and delayed sleep-phase syndrome, as well as depression, hypertension, attention deficit disorder, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Light pollution can also cause visual discomfort, with glare from light fixtures affecting vision and nighttime activities. It can also create potential safety issues, such as blind spots and wildlife/human conflict.
The widespread use of artificial light has substantially altered the natural pattern of darkness, with over 80% of the world's population and 99% of Americans and Europeans living under skyglow. This has made it difficult for people to see the stars at night and has reduced their ability to experience the natural nighttime environment.
Light pollution is also connected to air pollution, as the electricity used to generate light is usually produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. By reducing light pollution, we can help conserve fuel, reduce air pollution, and mitigate the immediate problems caused by excessive light, such as its impact on our health and the environment.
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Light pollution's economic effects
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow. Light pollution has several economic effects, including:
Energy Waste and Increased Costs
Lighting that is brighter than necessary or that shines when and where it is not needed wastes energy and money. This energy waste has significant economic and environmental consequences. For example, a study found that light pollution in Mexico had economic costs.
Impact on Astronomy
The brightening of the night sky due to artificial light sources can reduce the ability of astronomers to observe celestial objects. This can have economic implications, as astronomy is a crucial field for scientific research and education, and contributes to the development of new technologies.
Health Hazards
Light pollution can cause visual discomfort, disrupt sleep patterns, and impact the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals. These disruptions can lead to serious health issues, including obesity, depression, and sleep disorders. The economic costs of treating these health issues can be significant.
Environmental Impact
Light pollution can disturb ecosystems and impact animal behaviors such as migration patterns, habitat formation, and food sources. This can lead to imbalances in nature and potentially affect economic activities such as agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism.
Safety Concerns
Glare from light pollution can create unsafe driving conditions, leading to potential accidents and increased costs for individuals and society. Additionally, light trespass can cause conflicts between neighbours, leading to potential legal costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is the excess or inappropriate use of artificial light outdoors.
Light pollution can be categorised into four types: glare, light trespass, skyglow, and light clutter.
Light pollution is caused by inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Sources of light pollution include street lamps, parking lot/shopping mall lights, exterior lights found on most homes/businesses, neon signs, and illuminated signboards.
Light pollution has adverse effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment. It can cause visual discomfort, loss of contrast, and obscure night vision. It also disrupts the natural day/night cycle, affecting the circadian rhythm and the health and physiology of humans and animals.
Light pollution can be reduced by using more appropriate light bulbs, adjusting light fixtures, and educating the public to push for legislative change. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) is one of the organisations working to reduce light pollution by educating the public and certifying places that have reduced their light emissions.
