When we look at the night sky, what do we see? Probably not much.
Since the invention of the light bulb 150 years ago, artificial lighting has become an integral part of our lives. While it brings numerous benefits, it also has a downside: light pollution.
According to Wikipedia, light pollution is the presence of artificial light in the nighttime environment. It is exacerbated by excessive, unnecessary, or poorly directed lighting, but even carefully used light fundamentally alters natural conditions. As a major side effect of urbanization, it is blamed for health issues, ecosystem disruptions, and aesthetic degradation of the environment.
This means that light pollution robs us of the beauty of starry nights while wasting energy and money on artificial lighting. Essentially, excessive artificial light becomes a source of pollution, and although less discussed, it has numerous negative consequences. Beyond making stars invisible to the naked eye, light pollution affects the health of all living organisms, from bacteria to humans.
Excessive lighting impacts living organisms in multiple ways. It disrupts reproductive cycles, desynchronizes biological clocks, and contributes to habitat loss for species driven away by intense light. For species attracted to light, it can lead them to unintended areas, exposing them to predators—as seen with moths and frogs. Migratory birds are particularly vulnerable, often becoming disoriented by brightly lit tall buildings, circling them until exhaustion or fatally colliding with them. Furthermhours, light pollution, especially from blue light, has numerous negative effects on human health.
Most of us live under a light-polluted sky due to improper artificial lighting. According to a 2016 study, The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, approximately 80% of the world’s population can no longer see the Milky Way due to overwhelming artificial brightness. In Europe, the situation is even worse, with 99% of residents exposed to light pollution.
The International Dark-Sky Association identifies the main types of light pollution as over-illumination, light trespass, excessive clustering of lights, and skyglow.
Types of Light Pollution
Over-illumination
This occurs when eyes are exposed to intense light, such as sunlight during the day or the headlights of an oncoming car at night. Streetlights that are too bright or poorly shielded can temporarily blind drivers or pedestrians, contributing to accidents.
Light Trespass
According to the Dark-Sky Association, 35% of artificial light is wasted due to poor direction or lack of shielding. Properly designed fixtures that direct light downward rather than upward or sideways can reduce glare and minimize light trespass.
Skyglow
Light wasted upward or sideways by outdoor lighting illuminates atmospheric particles and molecules, creating a bright background that obscures the natural night sky. This is why most people never experience a starry, natural night sky.
Excessive Clustering of Lights
To address this issue, light should only be used where and when it is truly needed.
Solutions to Combat Light Pollution
We can reduce light pollution by using timers, motion sensors, and adaptive lighting controls to dim or turn off lights when they are not needed. These solutions not only prevent waste but also save energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and lower costs.
The Time for LEDs is Now
ELBA encourages its customers to transition to LEDs—a mhours durable, economical, and eco-friendly solution. LED lighting can save energy, reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and resthours some of the beauty of a starry night.
LEDs significantly reduce light pollution due to their features:
- Directional Lighting: LEDs are highly focused, minimizing over-illumination, light trespass, and skyglow.
- Efficient Dimming: LEDs can reduce lighting intensity without compromising visibility.
- Smart Lighting Systems: Our LED fixtures can integrate into intelligent lighting systems, using wireless technology to adjust lighting based on weather, circumstances, or specific needs.
- Advanced Controls: Features like dimming, motion sensors, and timers help eliminate unnecessary lighting, ensuring energy savings.
Use Warm LEDs
It’s crucial to use warm LEDs. Blue light has the most significant negative impact on humans and wildlife. Melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, is particularly sensitive to blue light. Efforts must be made to minimize and control lighting that emits this type of light.
It’s time to rediscover the magic of a starry night!
– International Dark-Sky Association, www.darksky.org
– NPS Night Skies, www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies
– Human and Environmental Effects of LED Community Lighting, 2016, American Medical Association, CSAPH Report 2-A-16
– http://www.savethenight.eu/Light%20Pollution%20in%20Europe.html
– https://www.interregeurope.eu/nightlight/
– https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/04/nights-are-getting-brighter-earth-paying-the-price-light-pollution-dark-skies/
– https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/6/e1600377
– http://www.lightpollution.it/
– https://skyglowproject.com/press#press-overview
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution
– http://lightedu.eu/ro/saving-the-dark.html
