Light pollution is simply the excessive or misdirected artificial light that disrupts the natural night environment. It also is a problem that tends to get overlooked. However, with over 80% of the world’s population living under light-polluted skies, I think it’s time to address its impact on health and the environment.
What is Light Pollution, anyway?
Light pollution can actually be from a number of sources. Let me give you some examples.
• Skyglow – This is brightening of the night sky that’s happened over cities. You might be lucky if you can even see a few stars. Most people living in cities have never seen in real life the Milky Way Galaxy.
• Glare:- This is when you are under intense light that even causes discomfort.
• Light Trespass – An example of this is when the light from streetlights or advertising signs spills into the spaces in your home, such as, a bedroom.
• Clutter: This occurs in cities with lots of bright billboards, illuminated signs, streetlamps, and floodlights all shining at once, the result can be a blinding, disorienting glow. The problem with this is as cities grow, this issue worsens.
According to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), over 99% of people in developed countries are affected by light pollution.
Health Impacts of Light Pollution –
Light pollution is not a passive event that you don’t have to be concerned about. It can also have health effects such as:
1. Disrupted Sleep Patterns: Exposure to artificial light at night suppresses melatonin, a hormone that is essential for sleep. A Current Biology (2017) study found that disrupted sleep can lead to long-term health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
2. Increased Chronic Disease Risk: Studies, such as one in Environmental Health Perspectives (2013), have linked artificial light at night to an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, due to this disruption of melatonin production.
3. Mental Health Issues: A study in The Lancet (2020) found that prolonged exposure to light pollution contributes to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. This study really demonstrates how poor sleep can harm a person’s mental well-being.
4. Wildlife Disruption: Light pollution doesn’t only affect humans. It also disrupts nocturnal animals, including birds and sea turtles by affecting migration and nesting.
What Can Be Done?
You’re not helpless or hopeless when it comes to making a lighting difference in your environment. Here are a number of things you can start doing.
Better Lighting Design: This would have to be up to companies and governments to require changes, such as installing downward facing which shields lights so that unnecessary light spill is reduced. These groups both may respond to citizen pressure.
Several cities have already made strides in this direction. For example, the city of Los Angeles recently replaced over 100,000 streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights that are shielded and emit warmer tones, helping to reduce both energy consumption and light pollution. Pretty good…2 outcomes for the price of one!
1. Raising Awareness: Public education about light pollution can encourage individuals and cities to adopt practices that minimize light use.
2. Creating Dark Sky Areas: These protected spaces reduce artificial lighting to preserve natural darkness, benefiting both humans and wildlife. The International Dark-Sky Association has designated over 100 dark sky places. These places have become tourist destinations as this lets people see the real night sky!
3. Technology Solutions: Smart lighting systems that adjust to human activity and natural light can reduce nighttime energy consumption and light pollution. As an example, motion-sensing lights in public spaces and residential areas can ensure that lights are only on when needed.
4. Personal Adjustments: On an individual level, using blackout curtains, reducing screen time, taking melatonin (3 to 5 mgs) about an hour before bedtime, and opting for dim lighting at night can help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
Conclusion
Light pollution is more than just an eyesore; As you can see (or maybe I should use the word tell?), it can have serious health and environmental impacts. By improving lighting design, raising awareness, and making small lifestyle changes, we can all contribute to minimizing its harmful effects.
So…you know what you can say…Turn the Damn light off!