Kiera Jefferson
Light pollution is a pressing issue that affects the visibility of the night sky. A 2016 study in Science Advances found that a majority of US and European citizens cannot see the Milky Way at night due to artificial light. Globally, 80% of the population lives under light-polluted skies. However, certain countries stand out for their minimal light pollution. Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar have the least light pollution, with over 75% of their residents enjoying pristine sky conditions. Greenland, the Central African Republic, Niue, Somalia, and Mauritania have the largest proportion of non-polluted areas. Outside of Africa, western Canada, northern Sweden, Norway, and northern Australia are notable for their low light pollution. These regions offer ideal stargazing opportunities and showcase the beauty of unadulterated night skies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with the least light pollution | Chad, Central African Republic, and Madagascar |
| Countries with the largest non-polluted areas | Greenland, Central African Republic, Niue, Somalia, and Mauritania |
| Countries with the largest part of their territory where the Milky Way is hidden by light pollution | Singapore, San Marino, Malta, West Bank, Qatar, Belgium, Kuwait, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Netherlands |
| Countries with the highest percentage of the population exposed to extremely bright skies | Saudi Arabia and South Korea |
| Countries with the most polluted territories | Italy and South Korea |
| Countries with the least pollution among the G20 | Germany and Australia |
| Places with minimal lighting impact from big cities | Death Valley National Park, Big Bend National Park, Goldendale Observatory State Park, Zselic Starry Sky Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, Cherry Springs State Park |
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What You'll Learn
Countries with the least light pollution
Light pollution is a pressing issue that affects most of the world's population. In fact, 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 artificial light. Globally, 80% of the world lives under light-polluted skies, and this figure rises to 83% when considering the world's population.
Despite these stark statistics, there are still places on Earth where light pollution is minimal. Countries whose populations are least affected by light pollution include Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar, with more than three-quarters of their inhabitants living under pristine sky conditions. The countries and territories with the largest non-polluted areas are Greenland, the Central African Republic, Niue, Somalia, and Mauritania.
Other regions with minimal light pollution include northern Australia, New Zealand, western Canada, northern Sweden, and Norway. Within Europe, Scotland's Galloway Forest Park is a notable dark sky location, offering the use of two main telescopes to view deep-sky objects. Similarly, Zselic Starry Sky Park in Hungary is one of the best places in Europe to see the zodiacal light.
In the United States, Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah is known for its zero light pollution, allowing visitors to view the night sky without any human lighting visible. The Grand Canyon National Park is another US location with minimal light pollution, having converted most of its 5,000 light fixtures to "dark-sky compliant." Death Valley National Park, located near Las Vegas and Los Angeles, also offers a near-pristine night sky.
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Dark sky parks and reserves
Light pollution has transformed the night sky, robbing humans of the opportunity to experience the wonder of a natural night sky. In fact, in 80% of all spaces in the world, light pollution is so severe that residents cannot see the Milky Way or most stars. This has negative consequences for human health and behaviour, as well as for wildlife.
The Dark Sky Places program, run by DarkSky International, certifies communities, parks, and protected areas around the world that preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. There are over 200 Dark Sky Places globally, representing more than 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies in 22 countries on 6 continents.
Dark Sky Parks are publicly or privately owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors. An example of a certified Dark Sky Park is Arches National Park in Utah, known for its crimson-coloured "hoodoos", which are spire-shaped rock formations.
Dark Sky Reserves consist of a dark "core" zone surrounded by a populated periphery where policy controls are enacted to protect the darkness of the core. These sites are established by a partnership of multiple land managers. An example of a certified Dark Sky Reserve is the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, which comprises Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin.
Dark Sky Sanctuaries are the most remote (and often darkest) places in the world whose conservation state is most fragile. The designation of Dark Sky Sanctuary is designed to increase awareness of these sites and promote their long-term conservation. An example of a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary is the Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Elqui Valley of Chile.
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Light pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa
A recent study conducted long-term monitoring of light pollution in African PAs from 1992 to 2018 using nighttime light remote sensing observations. The results showed that light pollution in these areas has been worsening, with an accelerating increasing trend across all three light indices. As of 2018, more than 80% of PAs in Africa were experiencing aggravated light pollution.
The study identified three types of light pollution in African PAs: outside invasion, internal sources, and mixed pollution. Outside invasion refers to light pollution from sources outside the PA, such as nearby cities or towns, while internal sources are within the PA itself, such as lighting used for security or infrastructure. Mixed pollution is a combination of both external and internal sources.
The impact of light pollution in African PAs is significant, as it disrupts the natural habitats and biodiversity that these areas are meant to protect. The study found a strong correlation between human activity intensity and light pollution, with the effects penetrating indiscriminately into all PA regulation levels. This suggests that measures to reduce light pollution in these areas should focus on reducing the use of artificial illumination and addressing the sources of human activity that contribute to the problem.
Overall, light pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa is a pressing issue that requires attention and action. With the number of PAs in Africa continuing to grow, it is important to find ways to mitigate light pollution and preserve the natural conditions and biodiversity that these areas are meant to protect. Further research and monitoring are also needed to fully understand the extent and impacts of light pollution in this region.
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Light pollution in North America
Light pollution is a growing problem in North America, with the widespread use of artificial light substantially altering the natural pattern of darkness and obscuring our view of the night sky. This issue is not unique to urban areas, as light pollution from cities has been observed from distances of over 200 miles away in national parks. The glow of Los Angeles, for example, can be seen from atop Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park, California.
The sources of artificial light that contribute to light pollution include outdoor lighting fixtures and collective sources such as city lights. This artificial light can impact people and the environment in several ways. For instance, it can cause direct glare that interferes with vision and affects nighttime experiences. It can also lead to sky glow, where artificial light is scattered in the atmosphere, further obscuring the night sky. This phenomenon reduces the ability of the human eye to adapt to darkness and reach its maximum sensitivity, impacting our ability to observe celestial objects.
Light pollution has ecological consequences as well. It disrupts the natural behaviours of wildlife, including foraging, mating, migration, and sleep. Nocturnal and migratory species are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on darkness and natural light cues for critical activities. For migratory birds, light pollution can lead to disorientation, changes in mating behaviours, population decline, and increased mortality.
Additionally, light pollution can impact the decomposition processes carried out by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms, leading to slower decomposition rates and reduced nutrient availability for plants and other organisms. Recognising these ecological impacts, organisations like the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) are working to mitigate light pollution. The IDA recently certified the Grand Canyon National Park as a dark sky park, involving the conversion of thousands of light fixtures to "dark-sky compliant" designs. Other exceptions to the rapid growth of light pollution include areas with enforced lighting regulations, such as Tucson, Arizona, portions of Northern Italy, and Flagstaff, Arizona.
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Light pollution in Europe
Light pollution is a growing environmental concern in Europe. It is caused by artificial light at night (ALAN), which has increased over time due to industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. This has disrupted ecosystems, interfered with wildlife behavior and migration patterns, and obscured our view of the night sky.
In response to this issue, the European Light Pollution Manifesto was adopted during Spain's Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2023. This document builds on the progress made under the Czech Presidency in 2022, which prioritized light pollution as an environmental issue and resulted in the Brno Appeal for Europe-wide action. The Manifesto proposes strategies for monitoring and reducing light pollution and urges European institutions to integrate these efforts into new and existing EU policies. It highlights the importance of protecting the night sky, preserving ecosystems, improving human well-being, and increasing energy efficiency through responsible lighting.
There are ongoing efforts by local governments and communities in Europe to address ALAN. For example, the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States has been certified by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), a non-profit organization fighting against light pollution. The park converted most of its 5,000 light fixtures to "dark-sky compliant," allowing for better stargazing opportunities.
In Europe, there are also designated dark sky parks and observatories where people can experience a pristine night sky. These include the Zselic Starry Sky Park in Hungary, one of the best places in Europe to see the zodiacal light, and the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory in Galloway Forest Park, where visitors can use telescopes to view deep-sky objects.
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Frequently asked questions
The countries with the least light pollution, in terms of the percentage of their territory that experiences light pollution, are:
- Greenland (only 0.12% of its area experiences light pollution)
- Central African Republic (0.29%)
- Niue (0.45%)
- Somalia (1.2%)
- Mauritania (1.4%)
The countries whose populations are least affected by light pollution are Chad, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar, with more than three-quarters of their inhabitants living under pristine sky conditions.
Within the G20, Australia is the least light-polluted country.
There are many places around the world that offer great stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Some of these include:
- Natural Bridges National Monument in the US
- Death Valley National Park in the US
- Big Bend National Park in the US
- Goldendale Observatory State Park in the US
- Zselic Starry Sky Park in Hungary
- Galloway Forest Park in Scotland
- Grand Canyon National Park in the US
According to one source, about 83% of the world's population lives under light-polluted skies. However, another source states that 80% of the world lives under light-polluted skies.
