Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. It is a major side effect of urbanization, with 83% of the world's population living under light-polluted skies. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, wastes energy, and has adverse health effects on humans. It can be caused by unshielded light fixtures, which allow light to spill into the sky and neighbouring properties. To reduce light pollution, it is recommended to shield lights properly, use softer lighting, and turn off lights when not in use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally |
| Sources | Building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, illuminated sporting venues, and artificial satellites |
| Effects | Compromises health, disrupts ecosystems, spoils aesthetic environments, interferes with astronomical observatories, diminishes visibility of the night sky, and increases natural light levels at night |
| Impact | 83% of people, including 99% of Europeans and Americans, live under light-polluted skies that are more than 10% brighter than natural darkness |
| Solutions | Shielding lights, using timers and sensors, choosing the right colour of light, using appropriate light bulbs, and advocating for legislative change |
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What You'll Learn
Light trespass
In some cases, light trespass can be considered a nuisance and may result in legal action. For example, in the case of Hetzer et al v. Paparo et al, a Pennsylvania judge ruled that if the intensity of light shining from adjoining land is strong enough to disturb a person of ordinary sensibilities, it is considered a nuisance and must be corrected.
To prevent light trespass, it is recommended that lighting units are placed and operated in a manner that does not cause illumination or glare to be cast on another person's property without their permission. This can be achieved by using shielded lighting that directs light downward, ensuring that only the intended area is illuminated.
By following these guidelines and being considerate of others' personal space and lighting needs, light trespass can be minimised, creating a more pleasant and harmonious environment for everyone in the community.
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Over-illumination
Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is a major side effect of urbanization, and about 83% of people live under light-polluted skies. Over-illumination is a specific category of light pollution that involves using excessive light where it is not needed. This can refer to the use of bright lights in one's yard, which prevents the sky from looking as dark as it naturally would. Over-illumination can also refer to the use of excessive indoor lighting, which can have adverse health effects.
Outdoor over-illumination can cause sky glow, which is the bright haze above cities produced by excessive artificial lighting at night. Sky glow is caused by artificial light reflecting off the sky and bouncing off different types of particles in the atmosphere. It reduces the visibility of stars and the Milky Way, and it increases natural light levels at night. The color of lighting also matters, with blue, green, and violet lights contributing more to sky glow than red, orange, yellow, and amber lights.
Indoor over-illumination can have adverse health effects. Medical research suggests that over-illumination or improper spectral composition of light may increase headaches, worker fatigue, medically defined stress, decreased sexual function, and increased anxiety. Animal models have also demonstrated that unavoidable light can produce adverse effects on mood and anxiety. For those who need to be awake at night, light at night also has an acute effect on alertness and mood.
To reduce over-illumination, individuals can evaluate their outdoor lighting to ensure that it is properly shielded. One way to do this is to draw an imaginary line extending horizontally from the top of your lamps, and check if any rays shine above that line. Individuals can also avoid using especially bright lights when only soft lighting is required and turn off lights when they are not in use.
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Glare
The impact of glare can be reduced by shielding lights to ensure that they are directed downwards. This can be achieved by adding ''hats' to lights or installing them under overhangs. It is also important to ensure that lights are not brighter than necessary and to turn them off when not in use.
LED lighting has been found to increase glare, which can create potential safety issues for drivers and pedestrians. This is due to the blue-rich (cool) white light of LEDs, which can also cause health issues and impact the day and night cycle by suppressing melatonin secretion.
Overall, glare is a significant issue within light pollution, impacting both human activity and the natural environment. It can be mitigated through the proper shielding and use of lighting, as well as the adoption of nature-friendly lighting practices.
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Light clutter
The effects of light clutter are magnified at night, when the contrast of the sky's darkness makes it harder to see the stars. Light clutter can also interfere with astronomical observatories and disrupt ecosystems, with adverse health effects. It competes with starlight, reducing the visibility of the night sky.
To reduce light clutter, it is important to ensure that lighting is properly shielded and directed downwards, so that it does not spill beyond where it is needed. The color of lighting also matters, with red, orange, yellow, and amber lighting contributing less to sky glow than blue, green, and violet lights. Low-pressure sodium lamps and narrow-band amber LEDs are the best options for outdoor lighting if you want to reduce sky glow.
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Sky glow
The impact of sky glow is not limited to the immediate vicinity of cities but can also be seen from hundreds of miles away, affecting even remote parks and protected areas. For example, Death Valley National Park in the United States is impacted by light pollution from distant cities, and car lights contribute to the artificial light intruding on the natural darkness.
The use of certain types of lighting can exacerbate the issue of sky glow. For instance, the use of cheaper LED lights with a higher colour temperature (CCT) has been criticised by scientists as contributing to light pollution and negatively impacting the environment. On the other hand, low-pressure sodium lamps and amber direct emission Aluminium gallium indium phosphide LEDs emit a narrow spectrum of light, allowing astronomers to "work around" the resulting light pollution to some extent.
Efforts are being made to address the problem of sky glow and light pollution. The International Dark-Sky Association, in collaboration with projects like SKYGLOW, aims to reclaim pristine night skies. Additionally, local zoning laws and construction codes can play a role in mitigating sky glow by regulating artificial lighting. By updating light sources with better optics, full shielding, and reduced sky glow impacts, it is possible to improve efficiency and visibility while reducing light pollution.
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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 presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting.
Sources of light pollution include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.
Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, and has adverse health effects. It also increases the natural light levels at night, reducing the visibility of the stars and the Milky Way.
To reduce light pollution in your yard, ensure that your outdoor lighting is properly shielded. Avoid using bright lights and turn off lights when they are not in use. Use red, orange, yellow, and amber lighting, as these contribute less to sky glow than blue, green, and violet lights.
