Brian Barton
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, and it affects human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects. Light clutter, glare, light trespass, and night glow are the four main types of light pollution. Light pollution has harmful effects on streetlights, greenhouses, satellites, and other sources. It is a global issue, with light pollution hot spots concentrated around the planet's largest cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting |
| Types | Glare, clutter, light trespass, night glow, sky glow |
| Causes | Street lights, greenhouses, satellites, boats, buildings, fireworks |
| Effects | Sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, sleep disorders, harm to wildlife |
| Organisations | DarkSky International, International Dark Sky Association (IDA), World Economic Forum |
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What You'll Learn
- Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally
- Light pollution affects human health and negatively impacts wildlife
- Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights
- Light pollution disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, and increases the impacts of climate change
- Light pollution advocacy can make great strides when citizens band together to enact local legislation
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally
Light pollution is caused by artificial light sources such as streetlights, buildings, boats, fireworks, and automobiles. It has harmful effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment. For humans, exposure to artificial light at night has been linked to increased risks of obesity, mental disorders, sleep disorders, depression, diabetes, and cancer. This is because artificial light disrupts the natural circadian rhythm, inhibiting the production of the hormone melatonin, which is released when it is dark and helps to regulate sleep.
Light pollution also affects wildlife behaviour and ecosystems. It can disorientate migratory birds, alter their migration patterns, and cause them to collide with buildings. It can also impact the foraging behaviours of birds and other animals, such as pollinators, and their vocal communication. Furthermore, light pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms.
To reduce light pollution, individuals can make small changes such as using light only where needed, decreasing the brightness of bulbs, utilising warm lighting, and using timers or motion sensors. Governments and organisations can also implement full cutoff fixtures in street lamps and stadium lighting, which reduce the chance for light to escape above the horizontal plane. Additionally, citizens can band together to enact local legislation and advocate for the reduction of light pollution. Organisations such as DarkSky International and the International Dark Sky Association work to designate areas with high-quality night skies and educate the public about the harmful effects of light pollution.
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Light pollution affects human health and negatively impacts wildlife
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by the over-use of artificial light, which has been linked to a range of adverse effects on human health and wildlife.
Human Health
Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health. Studies have shown a correlation between light pollution and an increased risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, and breast cancer. Shift work that involves circadian disruption has been listed as a probable carcinogen, with night shift work linked to increased cases of breast and prostate cancer.
Wildlife
Light pollution radically alters the nighttime environment for nocturnal animals, disrupting their natural day/night patterns. It can attract some organisms, such as moths, frogs, and sea turtles, making them an easier target for predators. It can also repel some organisms, excluding them from their natural habitats. Additionally, it can interfere with breeding and feeding rituals, as well as predator avoidance strategies. For example, the glare from artificial lights can impact the nighttime croaking of amphibians, which is part of their breeding ritual, reducing their populations.
Conservation Efforts
Organizations like DarkSky International and the International Dark-Sky Association work to reduce light pollution and protect wildlife and communities. They advocate for responsible lighting practices, establish codes and statutes, and educate the public about the harmful effects of excessive artificial light. Local communities and organizations also play a crucial role in enacting legislation and making positive changes to combat light pollution.
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Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights
Light pollution, in general, refers to the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light and can be harmful to human health, wildlife behaviour, and our ability to observe stars and other celestial objects. More than 80% of the world's population lives under artificially brightened night skies, and artificial light can disrupt the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals. Nocturnal light can interrupt sleep and confuse the circadian rhythm, affecting the production of the hormone melatonin, which results in various health problems.
Light pollution is a global issue, with vast areas of North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia glowing with light at night. It is a major side effect of urbanization, and light trespass, over-illumination, and skyglow are other specific categories of light pollution. Light trespass occurs when light spills into an unwanted area, such as a streetlight shining into a bedroom window, while over-illumination refers to excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort, like glare from driving. Skyglow is the bright haze above cities produced by excessive artificial lighting, which can be harmful to astronomy and the health of many organisms.
To reduce light pollution, small changes can be made, such as using light only where needed, decreasing bulb brightness, utilizing warm lighting, and employing timers or motion sensors. Community awareness and education are also crucial to achieving effective legislative change to mitigate light pollution. Organizations like DarkSky International and the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) work to conserve starry skies, educate the public, and certify lighting products and installations that help reduce light pollution.
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Light pollution disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, and increases the impacts of climate change
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has several negative consequences, including disrupting ecosystems, wasting energy, and exacerbating climate change impacts.
Disrupting Ecosystems
Light pollution can have detrimental effects on both wildlife and humans. For wildlife, it can disorient migratory birds, interfere with the navigation of sea turtles, and impact the behaviour of insects such as pollinators. This, in turn, can disrupt natural ecosystems and food chains. For humans, research suggests that artificial light at night can increase the risks of obesity, depression, and sleep disorders, impacting overall health and well-being.
Wasting Energy
Lighting levels that are higher than necessary or lights shining when and where they are not needed contribute to energy wastage. In the United States alone, it is estimated that at least 30% of outdoor lighting is wasted, amounting to a cost of $3.3 billion and the release of 21 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. This wastefulness has significant economic and environmental repercussions, emphasizing the need for energy efficiency and conservation.
Increasing Impacts of Climate Change
Light pollution contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, with indoor and outdoor lighting accounting for approximately 5% of worldwide emissions. By reducing light pollution and transitioning to more energy-efficient lighting technologies, such as LED fixtures, both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions can be decreased. This reduction in emissions aids in mitigating the impacts of climate change and supports long-term environmental protection strategies.
To address these issues, organizations like DarkSky International work with communities and professionals to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution. They advocate for responsible lighting practices, educate the public about the harmful effects of excessive artificial light, and promote the conservation of starry skies and natural nighttime environments.
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Light pollution advocacy can make great strides when citizens band together to enact local legislation
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is caused by the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light, such as streetlights, greenhouses, satellites, boats, buildings, and fireworks. Light clutter, glare, and light trespass are all forms of light pollution. It has been estimated that 83% of the world's population lives under light-polluted skies, with sky glow affecting 23% of the world's land area.
The adverse effects of light pollution on human health, wildlife behaviour, and the environment are well-documented. Studies have linked exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) to various health issues, including obesity, mental disorders, diabetes, cancer, and other health problems such as sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, and anxiety. Light pollution also disrupts the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals, as it interferes with the production of the hormone melatonin, which is released in the absence of light.
To combat light pollution, organizations like DarkSky International and the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) work to educate the public, advocate for policy changes, and certify lighting products and locations that reduce light pollution. DarkSky International has over 70 chapters worldwide and partners with universities, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses to achieve its goals. The IDA, formed in 1988, educates the public and certifies parks and places that have successfully reduced light emissions.
Light pollution advocacy can make significant progress when citizens unite to enact local legislation. DarkSky International provides resources and guidance for communities seeking to establish codes and statutes that mitigate light pollution. By engaging with local elected officials and advocating for outdoor lighting requirements that align with nearby towns or cities known for their DarkSky advocacy, citizens can actively contribute to reducing light pollution in their communities.
Additionally, citizens can support organizations like DarkSky International and the IDA through monthly memberships or donations, helping to fund their advocacy, education, and certification efforts. By joining their email lists, individuals can stay informed about international dark sky news, action alerts, and volunteer opportunities. Together, citizens and organizations can work towards restoring the nighttime environment, protecting communities and wildlife, and preserving the natural night sky.
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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 excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light.
Light pollution has been linked to several harmful effects on human health, wildlife behaviour, and the environment. It has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, obesity, mental disorders, diabetes, and other health issues. It also disrupts the natural body rhythms in both humans and animals, affecting sleep and the production of hormones like melatonin. Additionally, light pollution can negatively impact migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and other wildlife.
There are several ways to reduce light pollution, including the use of full cutoff lighting fixtures, proper spacing of lights, and matching the number of luminaires and wattage to the specific application. Individuals can also make small changes such as using lights only where needed, decreasing bulb brightness, utilising warm lighting, and employing timers or motion sensors. Organisations like DarkSky International and the International Dark Sky Association are dedicated to reducing light pollution through education, certification, and partnerships.
