Greta Jimenez
Light pollution is a pressing issue that has affected the lives of humans, wildlife, and the environment. It is caused by the presence of excessive artificial lighting, which has detrimental impacts on human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. The problem is most severe in highly industrialized, densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as major cities in the Middle East and North Africa. Light pollution has been declared the worst on the planet in cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Saint Petersburg, and Calgary. The increasing glow of artificial light at night has made it difficult for people to see the stars and has disrupted the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals, affecting their health and well-being. With growing awareness, global movements, and organizations like the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) are working to address and reduce light pollution, aiming to restore the natural darkness of the night sky.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of people living under light-polluted skies | 83% |
| Percentage of people living under light-polluted skies in Europe and the United States | 99% |
| Percentage of North Americans who cannot see the Milky Way galaxy | 80% |
| Cities with the worst light pollution | Moscow, Riyadh, Montréall, Detroit, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Mexico City, Denver-Aurora, Miami |
| Worst city for stargazing in the U.S. | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Second worst city for stargazing in the U.S. | Detroit |
| Worst city for stargazing with the highest light pollution | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
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What You'll Learn
Light pollution in highly industrialized, densely populated areas
Light pollution is a significant issue in highly industrialized, densely populated areas. It is a side effect of industrial civilization, caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. This includes lighting from buildings, advertising, car parks, offices, factories, streetlights, and sports venues. The problem is particularly acute in North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as major cities in the Middle East and North Africa, such as Tehran and Cairo.
In these highly industrialized and densely populated areas, light pollution has several adverse consequences. Firstly, it interferes with starlight, reducing the visibility of the night sky for urban residents and astronomers. Additionally, it disrupts ecosystems and has negative impacts on human health, including sleep deprivation and the disruption of circadian rhythms.
The severity of light pollution in these areas is influenced by various factors. One factor is the geographical location of the cities, with cities in northern latitudes experiencing less sunlight during the day tending to have brighter nights. Cultural factors also play a role, as evening activities in arid countries may contribute to increased lighting at night. For example, cities like Moscow and Riyadh are brighter than often-suspected cities like New York and Tokyo.
Light pollution is also associated with industrialization and economic development. Areas with developed infrastructure, such as paved roads, and a high rate of resource extraction tend to have higher light pollution. This is evident in China, where light pollution is higher in the eastern coastal cities and industrial regions in the east and north compared to the west, which is dominated by resource extraction.
The impact of light pollution in highly industrialized and densely populated areas is significant. It affects both human well-being and the environment. To mitigate these effects, efforts have been made to reduce light pollution, including the adoption of legislation to control outdoor lighting, the development of more efficient light sources, and public education to promote responsible lighting practices.
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Light trespass and its impact
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Light trespass, a common and problematic aspect of light pollution, occurs when unwanted artificial light enters one's property, shining over a neighbour's fence or through their windows. This can cause conflict between neighbours, as it may lead to issues such as sleep deprivation, reduced privacy, and a diminished enjoyment of interior and outdoor spaces.
Light trespass can originate from both residential and commercial properties. Common examples of light trespass include floodlights, security lights, and decorative lighting shining into neighbouring properties. This can be due to poorly directed lighting fixtures, excessive brightness, or inappropriate placement of lights.
The impact of light trespass extends beyond individual discomfort, as excessive lighting can also negatively impact local wildlife and
To minimise light trespass, several strategies can be employed. These include using lighting fixtures designed to minimise light spillage, adjusting the angle of security lights to avoid encroaching on nearby properties, and incorporating motion-sensor lights to ensure lighting is only activated when necessary. Shielded fixtures can also help prevent light from escaping into unwanted areas, and dimmable lights or lower-wattage bulbs can reduce brightness.
It is important to note that the reduction of light trespass should not compromise the provision of adequate lighting, especially in areas such as transport hubs and roadways, where lighting is crucial for safety and visibility. Striking a balance between reducing light trespass and providing quality lighting requires thoughtful design and the selection of appropriate lighting systems.
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Skyglow and the loss of stargazing
Light pollution is the presence of any "unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting". It is a major side effect of urbanisation, caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Light pollution competes with starlight, disrupting ecosystems and adversely affecting human health. It has been estimated that 83% of people, including 99% of Europeans and Americans, live under light-polluted skies. This means that a staggering 80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way.
Skyglow is a specific category of light pollution, referring to any light emitted more than 90° above nadir. The International Dark-Sky Association was started to reduce skyglow, and in turn, increase the visibility of stars.
Some of the worst cities for stargazing due to light pollution include Charlotte, North Carolina, and Detroit, Michigan. Charlotte has a massive 384.2 W/cm2, overwhelming the stars struggling to be seen. Detroit, with its obstructive skyscrapers, has a radiance value of 420.6 W/cm2. Other cities with high light pollution include Miami, Denver-Aurora, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Chicago, and Montreal.
The loss of stargazing due to light pollution is a sad reality for many people. As one person commented, "I'm 41 and when I was 9 I remember being able to clearly see the Milky Way in the summer at my rural house. 30+ years later [...] I'm pressed some nights to pick out the Big Dipper at the same house." Another person remarked on the awe-inspiring experience of seeing a night sky with no light pollution: "It's 100% worth a planned trip to go somewhere totally dark and [see] where you are in the galaxy."
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Health and ecosystem consequences
Light pollution is the presence of any excessive, unwanted, or inappropriate artificial lighting. It is a major side effect of urbanisation, caused by inefficient or unnecessary lighting. 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.
Light pollution has been shown to have adverse effects on both human and wildlife health. It disrupts the natural body rhythms of humans and animals, causing sleep deprivation and fatigue. Nocturnal light interferes with the production of the hormone melatonin, which is released in the absence of light and inhibited when light is present. Lowered melatonin production has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, and even cancer.
Research has also found a correlation between outdoor artificial light at night and breast cancer in women. Those living in areas with high levels of light pollution had a 73% higher risk of developing breast cancer than those in areas with less light pollution.
For nocturnal animals, the introduction of artificial light represents a drastic change to their environment. Predators use light to hunt, while prey species use darkness as cover. Light pollution turns night into day, disrupting the natural behaviours and breeding cycles of many species. For example, the nocturnal activity of frogs and toads, which is part of their breeding ritual, is interrupted by artificial lights.
Light pollution also affects plant life. Prolonged exposure to artificial light can prevent trees from adjusting to seasonal variations, impacting the wildlife that depends on them for their natural habitat. One example is the disruption of sea turtle behaviour due to artificial lighting on beaches where they nest.
Even marine life may be affected by underwater artificial lighting. Studies have shown that fewer filter-feeding animals, such as sea squirts and sea bristles, made their homes near brightly lit panels submerged off the coast of Wales. This suggests that light from human activities like oil drilling and shipping is altering marine ecosystems.
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Solutions to light pollution
Light pollution is a major issue that has harmful effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. It is caused by the inefficient and unnecessary use of artificial light, which shines upward and reflects off atmospheric particles, creating a brightening of the night sky that obscures stars and other celestial objects. This excess light is increasing by about 10% per year, and 83% of people live under light-polluted skies.
To tackle this issue, individuals, communities, and organizations can take several steps to reduce light pollution:
Individual Actions:
- Turn off unnecessary lights: A simple yet effective way to reduce light pollution is to turn off lights when they are not needed. This can include indoor lights, outdoor lights, and car lights.
- Use window shades: After sunset, use window shades to prevent room lights from escaping and contributing to outdoor light pollution.
- Reduce screen time and adjust device settings: The bright lights from electronic devices contribute to light pollution. Reducing screen time and adjusting devices to dimmer night settings can help minimize this impact.
- Avoid driving at night: While driving at night is sometimes necessary, it is best to avoid it whenever possible. Headlights contribute to light pollution and degrade the night sky's beauty.
Community Efforts:
- Advocate for local legislation: Citizens can band together to advocate for local laws and ordinances that regulate outdoor lighting and reduce light pollution.
- Support organizations: Groups like DarkSky International work to educate the public, establish codes, and certify lighting products that reduce light pollution. Supporting such organizations helps further their advocacy and education efforts.
Proper Lighting Practices:
- Choose the right light bulbs: Opt for warm-colored LED or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which can reduce energy use and minimize environmental impact.
- Adjust light fixtures: Ensure that light fixtures are directed downward to minimize light trespass and reduce light reflection into the atmosphere.
Education and Awareness:
- Spread awareness: Educate others about the harmful effects of light pollution on human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Raise awareness about the issue to build support for light pollution reduction efforts.
- Implement lighting standards: Cities can develop standards for outdoor lighting to protect citizens' rights against light trespass and improve lighting practices.
By implementing these solutions, we can work towards reducing light pollution, preserving the beauty of the night sky, and mitigating the negative impacts on our health, wildlife, and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is a global issue, with 83% of the world's population living under light-polluted skies. 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. Some of the most light-polluted countries in the world are Singapore, Qatar, Kuwait, and Russia. In 2018, Saint Petersburg, Russia, was named the worst city in the world for light pollution, with artificial lighting 8.1 times brighter than the global urban average.
Light pollution is measured using night-time satellite imagery of the Earth, which shows the number and intensity of light sources. This data is then put into a physical model to calculate the cumulative sky brightness. Ground-based networks of photometers, such as the Sky Quality Meter (SQM), are also used to monitor light pollution over time.
Light pollution has been found to have detrimental effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. It can disrupt the natural body rhythms of both humans and animals, interrupting sleep and confusing the internal, twenty-four-hour circadian rhythm. This can lead to a range of health issues, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, and anxiety. Light pollution also reduces the ability of astronomers to view celestial objects and has been estimated to cost ecosystems $3.36 trillion per year in damages.
