Greta Jimenez
Light pollution is a growing concern in our ever-urbanizing world, affecting not just our view of the night sky but also the health and behaviour of humans and other organisms. While some cities have strict lighting regulations and low light pollution, others are so brightly lit that they outshine the usual suspects like New York and Tokyo. So, which city has the most light pollution?
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What You'll Learn
Cities with the most light pollution
Light pollution is a growing problem in many cities around the world, with artificial light drowning out the night sky and disrupting the ecological balance. It has been estimated that more than 80% of people live under light-polluted skies, and a third of humanity can no longer see the Milky Way. Light pollution has a range of negative impacts, from disrupting human sleep and hormone functions to affecting the behaviour and survival of various organisms.
According to various sources, the cities with the most light pollution include:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Ranked as the worst city for light pollution by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2018, Saint Petersburg's artificial lighting is 8.1 times brighter than the global urban average.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has also been named the worst city for light pollution by several sources. Commercial and residential areas like Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Causeway Bay are particularly affected, with spotlights and LED billboards making the city's sky much brighter than others.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca is ranked as the second-worst city for light pollution, with lighting 7.4 times brighter than the global urban average.
Chelyabinsk, Russia
Chelyabinsk is the third-worst city for light pollution, with lighting 7.1 times brighter than the global urban average.
Kuwait City, Kuwait
With lighting 7.0 times brighter than the global urban average, Kuwait City is the fourth-worst city for light pollution.
Other cities that have been mentioned in lists of high light pollution include Calgary and Edmonton in Canada, Kazan and Saint Petersburg in Russia, Medina in Saudi Arabia, Helsinki in Finland, and Tangier in Morocco.
On the other hand, cities with low light pollution include Launceston in Australia, Christchurch in New Zealand, Rovaniemi in Finland, and Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Hobart in the US. These cities have implemented measures such as conservation efforts, strict lighting regulations, and a focus on preserving natural darkness to reduce light pollution.
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Cities with the least light pollution
Light pollution is a pressing issue, with more than 80% of people globally living under light-polluted skies. This has detrimental effects on human health, wildlife, energy consumption, and the environment.
Some cities with the least light pollution include:
Torrey, Utah
Torrey is a small town that neighbours Capitol Reef National Park, an International Dark Sky Park. Torrey has implemented strict outdoor lighting rules to combat light pollution, ensuring that the night skies above the town and the neighbouring park remain clear and dark for stargazing.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff was the first International Dark Sky Community in the world. In 1958, Flagstaff established the world's first outdoor lighting ordinance, which has successfully maintained the darkness of its night skies. The Lowell Observatory and US Naval Observatory are both located in Flagstaff, taking advantage of the clear views of the stars.
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Horseshoe Bay is a community in Texas Hill Country, situated on the shore of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. Horseshoe Bay has no streetlights, and commercial properties generally avoid bright lighting. As a result, the town takes pride in its dark, starry skies.
Ridgway, Colorado
Ridgway is a small mountain community located in an open valley at the base of the San Juan Mountains. The valley remains largely untouched, and the lack of light pollution means that the Milky Way is visible against the night sky.
Wimberley and Woodcreek, Texas
The towns of Wimberley and Woodcreek, collectively known as Wimberley Valley, are located in Texas Hill Country, near the dark sky community of Dripping Springs. Wimberley Valley is home to a thriving arts community and strict outdoor lighting regulations that preserve the natural darkness of the night sky.
While these cities have relatively low light pollution compared to others, it is important to note that light pollution is a widespread issue, and even these places may experience some level of light pollution from nearby areas.
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Light pollution's impact on human health
Light pollution, caused by artificial outdoor lighting, is a growing environmental concern. It is a human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally, and it has been linked to several adverse effects on human health.
The impact of light pollution on human health is primarily due to its disruption of our natural body rhythms. Nocturnal light, or light at night, interferes with our sleep and our body's internal, twenty-four-hour clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm guides our day and night activities and influences various physiological processes, including hormone production. For example, melatonin, a hormone that aids in sleep, is released in the absence of light and inhibited when light is present. As a result, light pollution can lead to reduced melatonin levels, causing sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, and other health issues.
Additionally, research has indicated a potential link between light pollution and an increased risk of certain diseases. Studies have suggested a correlation between reduced melatonin levels and cancer. Light pollution has also been associated with obesity, depression, sleep disorders, and diabetes. The American Medical Association estimates that bright LED lamps have a significantly greater impact on sleep rhythms than traditional street lamps, leading to reduced sleep times, impaired daytime functioning, and potential links to Alzheimer's disease.
The sources and extent of light pollution vary across different cities and regions. Saint Petersburg in Russia holds the record for being the brightest city, with artificial lighting 8.1 times brighter than the global urban average. Other cities with significant light pollution include Mecca, Saudi Arabia; Chelyabinsk, Russia; and Calgary, Canada. More than 80% of the world's population, including 99% of Americans and Europeans, live under light-polluted skies, and a third of humanity can no longer see the Milky Way due to this pollution.
Light pollution not only affects humans but also has detrimental effects on wildlife and the environment. It disrupts the behaviours of birds, sea turtles, and marine life, impacting migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation. It also leads to the death of millions of birds and insects, causing disruptions to ecosystems and food chains.
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Light pollution's impact on the environment
Light pollution is a pressing issue that has a significant impact on the environment, affecting human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. It is caused by artificial lighting that disrupts the natural rhythm of day and night, which is encoded in the DNA of all living things. The problem is particularly acute in highly populated urban areas, with more than 80% of people worldwide living under light-polluted skies.
One of the most well-known consequences of light pollution is its impact on bird populations. Bright city lights disorient birds, disrupting their migration patterns and causing them to collide with buildings or other obstacles, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of millions to billions of birds annually. Additionally, light pollution affects insect populations, as many insects are drawn to artificial lights, which can create a fatal attraction. This, in turn, negatively impacts species that rely on insects for food or pollination.
Light pollution also influences the behaviour of other animals, including marine life. For example, bats avoid lit-up areas to protect themselves from predators such as owls, while fish adapt by shifting to deeper waters. Even in protected natural habitats, light pollution can intrude, altering marine ecosystems. A study off the coast of Wales observed that fewer filter-feeding organisms, such as sea squirts and sea bristles, chose to make their homes near brightly lit panels, indicating that light pollution from sources like oil rigs and ships may be disrupting marine life.
Furthermore, light pollution has been linked to adverse effects on human health. Studies have shown that artificial light, particularly blue light from electronic devices and LED bulbs, reduces melatonin levels in humans, disrupting sleep cycles. There is also growing evidence of a correlation between artificial light at night and various forms of cancer.
To address these issues, organizations like DarkSky International are working to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from the harmful effects of light pollution. They advocate for local legislation and provide certifications for lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution. Additionally, the National Park Service has made maintaining a dark night sky a priority in protected areas. These efforts are crucial steps towards mitigating the environmental and health impacts of light pollution.
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Efforts to reduce light pollution
Light pollution is a growing problem, with more than 80% of people now living under light-polluted skies. This has many negative consequences, including harming the environment and wildlife, impacting human health, wasting energy, and obscuring the night sky. According to a 2023 study, the number of stars visible in the night sky decreased by 7-10% per year from 2011 to 2022.
To address this issue, individuals, communities, and organizations are taking action to reduce light pollution. Here are some efforts to reduce light pollution:
Individual Actions:
- Turning off unnecessary lights: A simple yet effective way to reduce light pollution is to turn off lights when they are not needed. This can also help reduce energy costs.
- Using dimmers and warm-toned lights: Installing dimmers and using warm-toned or filtered LEDs with a low colour temperature (CCT 3000 K or lower) can reduce light output and minimize blue emission, which is particularly harmful to human health and the environment.
- Reducing screen time and using night settings: With the increasing use of electronic devices, it is important to reduce screen time, especially after dark. Using night settings or dimmer screens can help minimize light pollution and reduce eye strain.
- Using window shades: Drawing window shades can prevent indoor lights from shining outdoors, reducing light pollution and enhancing privacy.
- Minimizing driving at night: While driving at night is sometimes necessary, it contributes to light pollution through the use of headlights. Avoiding non-essential night driving can help reduce this impact.
Community Initiatives:
- Advocating for local legislation: Citizens can band together to advocate for local laws that address light pollution, such as the 1958 dark sky legislation, the first of its kind.
- Joining or supporting organizations: Organizations like DarkSky International work to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution. Supporting or joining such organizations can help further their efforts.
- Encouraging neighbours: Individuals can also take the initiative to educate and encourage their neighbours to reduce light pollution, especially regarding glare and light trespass into others' properties.
Organizational Efforts:
- Promoting shielded lighting: Organizations like DarkSky International and IUCN recommend the use of shielded lighting fixtures that minimize glare and light trespass. Their programs certify environmentally friendly lighting products, making it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices.
- Raising awareness: Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution on the environment, wildlife, and human well-being. This includes educating homeowners and property managers about limiting luminance, using shielding, and reducing wasted light.
- Promoting energy-efficient lighting: The benefits of energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs, are being highlighted. While LEDs offer energy savings and reliability, it is important to also focus on reducing luminance and using warm-toned options to minimize negative environmental impacts.
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