Greta Jimenez
Light pollution is a pressing global issue, with 80% of the world's population living under light-polluted skies. The problem is particularly acute in the US and Europe, where artificial sky brightness obscures the Milky Way from more than one-third of the population. However, there are still places on Earth where pristine night skies can be observed. These include Natural Bridges National Monument in the US, the Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, and Death Valley and Big Bend National Park, which is the Northern Hemisphere's southernmost International Dark Sky Park. In terms of countries, the populations least affected by light pollution are those of Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar, while Greenland, the Central African Republic, Niue, Somalia, and Mauritania have the largest non-polluted areas. Other areas with minimal light pollution include northern Australia, New Zealand, western Canada, northern Sweden, and Norway, as well as Mongolia outside its capital Ulan Bator. Additionally, most of Sub-Saharan Africa is free from light pollution, except for some areas in the Niger Delta and South Africa.
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What You'll Learn
- Northern Europe has the least light pollution in the continent
- Light pollution can negatively impact human health and wildlife
- The Grand Canyon National Park is certified by the IDA as a dark sky park
- Latvia is the darkest country in Europe, with 1.08 light sources per sq km
- Some municipalities in SW France turn off street lighting at night
Northern Europe has the least light pollution in the continent
Light pollution is a global issue, with over a third of humanity unable to view the Milky Way due to light pollution, including 60% of Europeans. However, Northern Europe has the least light pollution of any continent.
Northern Sweden and Norway, for example, have very little light pollution. In Sweden, the Aurora Borealis can be seen in the far north of the country, where light pollution is minimal. Similarly, in Norway, the northern lights are a popular attraction, with low light pollution allowing for clear views.
Other parts of Northern Europe, such as rural Austria, remote areas of Spain, and parts of Northern Germany and Poland, also offer clear night skies. In these areas, it is possible to see the Milky Way, shooting stars, satellites, and even the International Space Station (ISS).
Ireland, outside of Dublin, is another European location with low light pollution, where, on a clear night, the Milky Way and millions of stars are visible.
The impact of light pollution is not limited to obscuring the night sky. Artificial light has been shown to negatively affect human health, behaviour, and physiology, as well as the behaviour and health of wildlife.
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Light pollution can negatively impact human health and wildlife
Countries with the least light pollution include northern Australia, New Zealand, western Canada, northern Sweden, and Norway. These areas are known for their dark skies and offer a view of the night sky that is unobstructed by light pollution.
Light pollution, caused by artificial lighting, has been identified as one of the fastest-growing and most pervasive forms of environmental pollution. It has been shown to have detrimental effects on both human health and wildlife.
Impact on Human Health
Research has indicated that exposure to artificial light at night can negatively impact human health in several ways. One of the primary concerns is the disruption of the body's natural circadian rhythm, which can lead to sleep disorders, excessive sleepiness, and dissatisfaction with sleep quality. This disruption can also result in impaired daytime functioning and increased risks of obesity and depression.
Additionally, light pollution has been linked to more severe health issues. Studies suggest a potential correlation between light pollution and Alzheimer's disease, while also indicating a higher incidence of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. The American Medical Association has expressed concern about exposure to blue light from outdoor lighting, recommending the use of lower color temperatures to minimize negative health impacts.
Impact on Wildlife
Light pollution has been found to have significant impacts on wildlife behaviour and overall health. It disrupts the natural day and night cycle that is crucial for the survival and functioning of many species. Nocturnal animals, in particular, are affected as their nighttime environment is radically altered, making it difficult for them to find food, reproduce, and avoid predators.
Artificial light can attract certain organisms, such as moths, frogs, and sea turtles, leading to disorientation, exhaustion, and increased predation. It can also repel other organisms, effectively causing habitat loss. Additionally, light pollution can disrupt the breeding and feeding habits of amphibians, birds, and other wildlife, impacting their populations and the ecosystems that depend on them.
The introduction of artificial light represents a drastic change to the environment, and its negative consequences on wildlife are only beginning to be fully understood.
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The Grand Canyon National Park is certified by the IDA as a dark sky park
Light pollution has emerged as a pressing issue in recent times, with artificial lighting shown to negatively impact human health and wildlife behaviour. In this context, the Grand Canyon National Park has been certified by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as a dark sky park. This certification places the Grand Canyon in the company of over 60 dark sky parks, communities, and reserves in the United States, with only nine of the 61 national parks in the country attaining this recognition. The IDA established the International Dark Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to encourage communities worldwide to preserve dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
The Grand Canyon's journey towards achieving this status began in 2016 with preliminary efforts to meet the Dark Sky Park criteria. A key initiative was retrofitting thousands of exterior lights in the park to reduce light pollution and enhance night sky visibility. At the time of its application, about 43% of the park's lights already met IDA standards. The Grand Canyon's application was one of the most complex undertaken by the IDA, encompassing an inventory of thousands of light fixtures on both rims and in the inner canyon.
The Grand Canyon was initially granted provisional status by the IDA, providing a three-year timeframe to retrofit two-thirds of the park's lights to comply with IDA lighting guidelines. The park successfully attained full IDA Dark Sky Park certification in 2019, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of its establishment. This certification underscores the Grand Canyon's commitment to sustainable lighting practices, energy efficiency, and enhancing visitor experiences.
The Grand Canyon offers a spectacular night sky that attracts visitors from around the world. To celebrate this designation, an official ceremony was held on June 22 at the Mather Amphitheater on the South Rim, with representatives from the Dark Sky Park Association, park leaders, and astronomers in attendance. The park also hosts a week of star parties every June, with telescopes set up at the Grand Canyon Lodge and Visitor Center for stargazing. The Grand Canyon's dark sky status not only preserves the natural night sky but also contributes to the overall ecosystem health, benefiting the over 60% of species that are nocturnal and those that require dark environments for recovery.
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Latvia is the darkest country in Europe, with 1.08 light sources per sq km
Light pollution, or radiance, refers to the amount of ambient light present at night in a country. This artificial light can have a negative impact on human and wildlife behaviour and health. A 2016 study in Science Advances found that a majority of US and European citizens could not see the Milky Way at night due to light pollution.
Latvia is the least light-polluted country in Europe, with only 1.08 light sources per square kilometre. The Gaiziņkalns mountain range, the highest point in the country, is the best place in Latvia for stargazing.
Other countries with low light pollution include Norway, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. In Europe, northern countries tend to have darker skies. Outside of Europe, some of the least light-polluted places in the world include northern Australia, New Zealand, western Canada, and parts of the United States, such as Death Valley National Park and Big Bend National Park.
To combat light pollution, some municipalities in southwestern France have agreed to turn off street lighting at night, and certain organisations, such as the International Dark Sky Association, work to preserve dark skies.
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Some municipalities in SW France turn off street lighting at night
Light pollution, or radiance, refers to the amount of ambient light present at night in a country. Lower radiance indicates darker skies. Light pollution can negatively impact human and wildlife behaviour and physiology. For example, artificial lighting near shorelines can cause newborn turtles to become disoriented and move away from the ocean.
In light of these negative effects, some municipalities in Southwest France have turned off their street lighting at night. During the Covid lockdowns and curfews, certain communes in France decided to switch off street lights to encourage people to follow movement restrictions and save money and energy. Even after the restrictions were lifted, some towns maintained this measure to help their local budget. France’s environmental agency, Ademe, estimated that 41% of local authority electricity costs are linked to street lighting.
Some towns in France have also turned off their street lights to protect biodiversity. Agnès Langevine, vice president in charge of climate change policies for the Occitanie region, said, "We must relight the stars." Light pollution can disturb the migratory movements of birds, which normally use the stars for navigation. Turning off street lights can reduce the glow in an area, creating a corridor of darkness for the birds.
In addition to these ecological and economic benefits, reducing light pollution can also attract astro-tourism, providing a new source of income. Some towns in France have also reduced the brightness of their lamps at night by moving towards LED lights.
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Frequently asked questions
The countries with the least light pollution, where more than three-quarters of their inhabitants live under pristine sky conditions, are Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar.
Some of the best places to stargaze with minimal light pollution include:
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Death Valley National Park
- Goldendale Observatory State Park
- Big Bend National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Zselic Starry Sky Park
- Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
About 83% of the world's population lives under light-polluted skies, with the Milky Way not visible to more than one-third of humanity. Light pollution is more common in densely populated and wealthy areas.
