The negative effects of light pollution and how to overcome them
The negative effects of light pollution and how to overcome them
In the past, the sky of humanity was sparkling with the lights of the various stars and planets in our galaxy – the Milky Way Galaxy – as humans used to enjoy a magical view of these stars and planets at night. However, this is no longer possible now; Because of light pollution, statistics indicate that the majority of the world’s population has not seen this scene, even once during their lives!
Light pollution comes from the use of artificial lights that shine upward, creating what is known as “skyglow”, a phenomenon in which the sky – or part of it – is unnaturally bright at night; Which results in stars and other celestial bodies being obscured from view.
Light pollution rates – unfortunately! – are constantly increasing; Therefore, in this article, we discuss the negative effects of light pollution on achieving sustainable development, and how to reduce these effects.
Detailed report on light pollution
The mechanism of light pollution is considered simple. The rays released into the sky from artificial lighting sources find molecules of atmospheric gases in front of them, which reflect these rays back to the Earth.
But, what are the harms resulting from this light pollution, other than our inability to see the Milky Way? To answer this question, the International Dark Sky Society – affiliated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature – published a 160-page report, discussing the threats of light pollution, and how can we reduce it?
The report was written by environmental scientist and assistant professor at the Institute of Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles, Travis Longcore, and nine other researchers.
Longcore said: “The report is a comprehensive reference for anyone concerned about light pollution, as it details the harms of light pollution, highlights the importance of “dark sky reserves,” and provides case studies and guidance for reducing the use of artificial lights.”
There is no doubt that technological innovations and the emergence of new cities have led to a rapid increase in reliance on artificial lighting solutions. In the 25 years between 1992 and 2017, satellite-based research has found that global light pollution has increased by at least 49%, but this percentage may be much higher.
In recent decades, it has been clear that there has been a significant shift to reliance on powerful lighting solutions, the most prominent of which are full-spectrum LED lamps. The problem here is that LEDs emit more blue and green light than traditional lighting solutions previously.
Negative effects of light pollution
The effects of light pollution are many, the most prominent of which is the disruption of the human biological clock, which negatively affects the quality of sleep, and also manipulates the body’s ability to produce hormones related to light. For example, the sleep hormone melatonin is produced during the day, but is released into the body when night falls; Which, in turn, stimulates the production of other hormones that help the body rejuvenate and deal with diseases, but bright lighting spoils this process.
Light pollution not only disturbs human life, but its effects extend to wildlife and ecosystems. Biologists consider it a form of habitat loss, as animals often avoid brightly lit areas, leaving their original habitats.
The animals’ behaviors, according to the report, are adapted to the 24-hour day and night cycle, in addition to the 12-month seasonal cycle; Which means that excessive lighting at the wrong time disrupts the life cycle of many organisms, and negatively affects the processes of reproduction and migration.
For example, sea turtles use light as a guide, as they lay and bury their eggs on beaches at night, where the eggs hatch, and the young turtles head out to sea again. But when there are too many artificial lights, these little ones become disoriented; They move in the wrong direction.
Lights also confuse insects, as they gather around street lamps and become easy prey. Another example is migratory birds traveling at night, bumping into communications towers and brightly lit windows. Light pollution also affects plants, disrupting the main stages of the life cycle, which are governed by the presence of light, which in turn affects animals that depend primarily on these plants for their food chain.
How to reduce light pollution
Before the seventeenth century, human civilizations burned oil or fat for lighting, and they did not have street lighting. So light pollution did not exist, but with the advent of electricity in the 1870s, outdoor lights became widespread.
The above makes seeing the dark sky at night – naturally – impossible except in some remote and uninhabited areas. Although light at night is necessary to maintain the safety and productivity of modern cities, technological advances in the efficiency of lighting and the low cost of purchasing and operating it; They led to excessive misuse.
What is interesting here is that excessive lighting at night may have the opposite effect. Brightly lit roads – for example – the resulting excessive glare can distract drivers’ attention and reduce night vision. Which necessarily affects the safety of passers-by.
Other solutions include changing the color temperature of outdoor lighting, as the blue color is considered particularly harmful, and it is the light emitted by LED lamps that is most widespread today, as it causes a large amount of biological disturbances to various organisms.
Therefore, relying on warm light is less harmful, and may even help enhance the animals’ night vision. Motion sensors, which automatically turn lights on and off, can certainly help address this problem.
Now, it is your turn to take a sustainable step and contribute to reducing light pollution, whether by applying the previous instructions or by spreading awareness of this important issue among your friends and family. This is to contribute to achieving a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)sustainable development; The most prominent of which are Goal No. (14) Life Underwater, and Goal No. (15) Life on Land.
