Brian Barton
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light and can be understood not only as a phenomenon resulting from a specific source or kind of pollution but also as a contributor to the wider, collective impact of various sources of pollution. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, increases the impacts of climate change, and has adverse effects on human health. It can also negatively affect many parts of the world, including migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals. Light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow are some of the specific categories of light pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally |
| Sources | Streetlights, buildings, advertising, offices, factories, boats, satellites, fireworks |
| Effects | Sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, other health problems, disruption of ecosystems, adverse effects on wildlife behaviour, reduced visibility of stars and other celestial objects |
| Prevalence | 83% of the world's people live under light-polluted skies, including 99% of Europeans and Americans |
| Solutions | Adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, legislative change, implementing lighting regulations |
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What You'll Learn
Light trespass
If you are experiencing light trespass, the first step is to contact the responsible party, which could be a neighbour, a small business owner, or a government agency. It is important to approach the situation in a positive and non-threatening way, as everyone wants the same thing: to relax in their own environment. It may be useful to write a letter to your neighbour to express your thoughts.
There are usually several ways to resolve light trespass, so it is important to remain open to all solutions and work together to find the best outcome for everyone. Solutions could include adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, or using light shields.
To prevent light trespass, development applicants should be required to submit a plan showing proposed lighting and any measures intended to prevent light trespass.
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Over-illumination
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is the presence of any unwanted, excessive, or inappropriate artificial lighting. Over-illumination is one of the specific categories of light pollution, along with light trespass, glare, light clutter, and skyglow.
The sources of over-illumination include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, illuminated sporting venues, and boats. It is most severe in highly industrialised, densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as major cities in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Tehran and Cairo.
To address over-illumination, solutions such as adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, and educating the public to push for legislative change can be implemented. Organisations like DarkSky International work with communities to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution and protect people, wildlife, and the climate from its harmful effects.
The issue of over-illumination is not limited to ground-based light sources. The increasing number of artificial satellites, such as OneWeb and Starlink, is also contributing to light pollution. Astronomers are concerned about the potential impact on their ability to observe celestial objects and the disruption to the natural night sky.
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Glare
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky for urban residents, interferes with astronomical observatories, and, like any other form of pollution, has adverse health effects and disrupts ecosystems.
The sensitivity to glare varies among individuals, with older people generally being more sensitive due to the ageing characteristics of the eye. Glare can also cause visual discomfort, especially in individuals with certain eye conditions. It can trigger headaches, stress, and anxiety in some people.
To reduce glare, it is recommended to use diffuse light with lampshades and curtains on windows. Additionally, ensuring that work surfaces are dull instead of shiny can help minimise indirect glare caused by reflected light.
Addressing light pollution, including glare, often involves simple steps such as adjusting light fixtures, using appropriate light bulbs, and implementing timers and sensors. These measures not only improve visual comfort but also help mitigate the adverse effects of glare on human health and the environment.
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Light clutter
Unshielded street lights, billboards, and advertisements contribute to light clutter along roadways. Clutter can create a hazardous situation for drivers and pilots because it competes with traffic and navigation signals.
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Skyglow
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. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, and has adverse health effects.
The effects of skyglow are far-reaching. It reduces the visibility of stars and other celestial objects, impacting the work of astronomers. It also affects the behaviour of wildlife, such as birds and sea turtles, that rely on the moon's glow to guide their migration patterns. Insects and small animals are attracted to areas with more light, which can lead them into dangerous situations.
Additionally, skyglow can have negative consequences for human health. Artificial light can disrupt the natural body rhythms of humans, including the production of the hormone melatonin, which is released when it is dark and inhibited when there is light present. A decrease in melatonin levels can lead to sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and potentially more severe health issues.
The issue of skyglow has led to the formation of organisations such as DarkSky Texas and the Skyglow Project, which aim to address light pollution through education, awareness, and the implementation of lighting codes and ordinances. These efforts are crucial in preserving the natural darkness of the night sky and mitigating the detrimental effects of skyglow on humans, wildlife, and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
Sources of light pollution include streetlights, buildings, advertising, offices, factories, illuminated sporting venues, and satellites.
Light pollution has adverse health effects on humans, such as sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health problems. It also disrupts ecosystems, affecting the behaviour of wildlife such as migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals. Additionally, light pollution interferes with astronomical observations by reducing the visibility of stars and other celestial objects.
Solutions to light pollution include adjusting light fixtures, using more appropriate light bulbs, implementing lighting regulations, and advocating for legislative change to reduce light pollution and mitigate its impacts.
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