Artificial light is everywhere; we use it to illuminate homes, offices, and even outdoor streets. However, we often fail to recognize the negative impacts that light pollution has on our surrounding environment. In 2011, LED lights accounted for just 9% of the global lighting market, and this figure surged to 68% by 2020.
Understanding Light Pollution
The increasing demand for LED lights will cause severe disruptions to wildlife outside our homes. Most wildlife species rely on natural light to regulate their mating, foraging, sleeping, pollination, and migration habits. Artificial light sources interfere with these habits, leading to disorientation and mass mortality among various wildlife species.
The article below will highlight the growing prevalence of light pollution and the issues it is causing for wildlife globally. It also presents some solutions that allow us to continue enjoying the benefits of artificial light while improving the living environment for wildlife.
What is Light Pollution?
Light pollution refers to the excessive artificial light created by humans, which can be bothersome. This can lead to harmful health effects, obscure the light of stars, disrupt astronomical observations, waste energy, and disturb ecosystems.
Light pollution is part of the impact of industrial civilization. It originates from sources such as lighting on building façades and interiors, advertising lights, industrial facilities, offices, factories, streets, and sports centers. This issue is particularly severe in densely populated industrial areas of the United States, Europe, and Japan, but even small amounts of light can cause problems and deserve attention.
Light pollution is part of the impact of industrial civilization.
Some skeptics argue that light pollution does not have as many negative effects because it does not leave long-lasting consequences on the environment like air pollution, water pollution, or soil pollution. However, activists seeking to reduce light pollution argue that it is unrealistic to expect people to turn off their lights, as the economy of industrial society has become too dependent on artificial light. Therefore, they assert that light pollution is a similar problem to other forms of pollution, capable of causing long-term negative consequences.
This viewpoint aligns with energy conservation advocates, who argue that light pollution must be addressed by changing societal habits to use light more efficiently and reduce waste. The fight against light pollution is further supported by scientific research linking excessive light to a range of health issues: impaired vision, stress, headaches, and increased cancer risk.
Types of Light Pollution
Light pollution is a broad term that refers to issues caused by the inefficient use of artificial light, leading to discomfort. Types of light pollution include: light trespass, over-illumination, glare, clutter, and skyglow.
Light Trespass: This occurs when light intrudes into someone else’s property without their desire, for instance, shining through a neighbor’s fence. The consequences can include bright lights penetrating windows, causing insomnia or limiting night visibility. Light trespass is particularly bothersome for amateur astronomers, whose ability to observe the night sky from their homes can be easily affected by nearby light sources. Most major astronomical observatories are located in areas strictly shielded from light pollution. Some cities in the U.S. have established precise standards for outdoor lighting to protect such observatories.
Over-Illumination: This refers to the excessive use of light. Particularly in the U.S., over-illumination is responsible for wasting about 2 million barrels of oil daily, calculated based on an average consumption of 50 million barrels of oil per day by Americans. (The U.S. sources about 60% of its energy supply from natural gas, hydropower, and other non-oil sources. The barrel of oil unit is used here simply to describe energy use across all sources.)
There are many types of light pollution.
Causes of Over-Illumination:
- Failure to use timers, sensors, or other methods to turn off lights when unnecessary.
- Poor design, especially in workspaces, leading to excessive light usage.
- Incorrect selection of fixtures and lamps, resulting in light not being focused on necessary areas.
- Inappropriate equipment installation, leading to excessive energy use for lighting.
- Insufficient guidance for managers and occupants of buildings on using lighting systems effectively.
- Maintaining unreasonable lighting levels, which leads to increased light waste and energy costs.
Most of these issues can be quickly addressed with available and low-cost technologies. However, inertia in adjusting lighting design and the actions of property owners has hindered the timely resolution of these issues. Public awareness is crucial for industrial nations to recognize the significant savings that can be achieved by reducing light overuse.
Glare: This results from the contrast between light and dark areas within a field of vision. Glare directed at pedestrians and drivers can cause loss of night vision for up to an hour afterward.
This also makes it difficult for the eyes to distinguish differences in light. Glare is particularly problematic for traffic safety since it can occur suddenly, making pedestrians and drivers prone to accidents. Glare can be categorized in various ways. According to Bob Mizon, a collaborator with the British Astronomical Association’s Campaign for Dark Skies, it includes the following types:
- Blinding Glare: Effects from looking directly at the sun, temporarily blinding the eyes and leaving long-lasting consequences for vision.
- Disability Glare: Similar effects to temporary blindness caused by headlights shining into the eyes.
- Discomfort Glare: This type usually does not create dangerous situations but causes discomfort, and can lead to fatigue if endured for long.
- Clutter: Refers to excessive simultaneous light sources. These light sources can create chaos, distraction, and potentially lead to accidents. This type is particularly prevalent on streets with poorly designed lighting systems or excessive advertising lights.
- Skyglow: This often occurs in densely populated areas. Light from too many different sources, including places of light overuse, reflects off the night sky. This particularly affects astronomers in their ability to observe stars.
Light pollution affects astronomical observations.
Impacts of Light Pollution
Energy Waste: Lighting accounts for up to one-quarter of the world’s energy consumption. Studies have shown that typically 50% to 90% of the light in buildings is unnecessary. While many countries are striving to find measures to reduce energy use after signing the Kyoto Protocol, enhancing the efficiency of lighting use is a highly effective measure that can yield results quickly.
Impact on Astronomical Observation: Most city residents cannot see the stars in the night sky, except for the moon and a few bright stars. This limits their understanding of space, astronomy, and science in general. Amateur astronomers find it very challenging to work. Light pollution has even forced some observatories, such as the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, to relocate, hindering observations at various locations.
Effects on Human Health and Psychology: The impacts can manifest as headaches, fatigue, stress, decreased sexual function, and increased feelings of anxiety. Some studies have even suggested a link between light pollution and the risk of breast cancer!
Disruption of Ecosystems: Nature has adapted to natural light and darkness. Light pollution can disrupt the living habits of various organisms. Research has shown specific examples of the consequences caused by light pollution, such as nighttime light reducing the ability of moths and other nocturnal insects to navigate. Night-blooming flowers, which rely on these species for pollination, are also affected. Migratory birds may lose their way due to the lights of tall buildings. Additionally, nocturnal frogs and salamanders are impacted; typically, they wake up in the absence of light to seek mates and reproduce. However, constant light from light pollution reduces their activity…
Safety Concerns: This is quite common for pedestrians at night. The International Dark-Sky Association argues that there is no scientific basis for the claim that light can reduce crime. In fact, poor artificial lighting can create a stark contrast between light and dark, making it easier for criminals to hide.
Measures to Reduce Light Pollution
Reducing light pollution includes various forms such as minimizing skyglow, reducing glare, limiting light trespass, and decreasing light clutter. The best method should correspond to the type of pollution involved. Potential measures include:
- Using sufficient lighting that meets requirements
- Turning off lights when not needed or using timers
- Improving lighting fixtures to focus light where necessary
- Installing types of lights that emit wavelengths less likely to cause serious issues
- Reassessing existing lighting systems and redesigning if necessary.
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