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By its formal definition, light pollution means the superfluous, unwanted, or poor use of manufactured light during nighttime. Other aliases include photopollution and luminous pollution. This is correct, by all means, but is inadequate in such a way that it doesn’t speak for all the parts that go into light pollution. In other words, light pollution is much more than that. More often than not, this specific type of pollution is overlooked. Light pollution effects are often ignored and aren’t a substantial topic of interest globally. However, the severity of this cannot be disregarded. Light pollution clouds up the night sky, is closely knitted with air pollution, degrades environmental quality, and most importantly, damages living organisms. Light pollution is worst in parts of Asia and Europe, specifically Singapore, Hong Kong, and Qatar, although many places are somewhat affected by it. What many don’t know is that light pollution can be resolved almost instantly. By and large, light pollution is a serious, topical matter and has adverse effects on Earth’s ecosystems and atmosphere (“Light Pollution”).
Anthropogenic activity is a prominent source of light pollution. In the most basic sense, this is wasted light and heat energy that is directed upward by poor lighting structure design. Research has shown this is most evident in areas that have numerous amounts of LEDs, instead of the standard sodium-vapor lamps. Although the diodes are relatively inexpensive and known for their power efficiency, people start overusing them, using LED lights in areas that don’t need them. Since electricity is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, there is a fine line between air and light pollution. Therefore, controlling the latter will also resolve the former, and vice versa. Skyglow is produced by reflective particles in the atmosphere. As light escapes into the atmosphere, the particles within scatter the light photons, creating a dim glare in the nighttime sky that blocks the view of the stars. This is called the Rayleigh Effect and is also why the sky appears blue during the daytime. Skyglow also results in a bright nighttime sky. All of this is inimical to astronomers hoping to observe the skies. However, skyglow causes nitrate radicals to disintegrate chemical substances that are connected to smog and ozone pollution. This means there is actually lower smog and ozone pollution in light-polluted areas. If, for example, this is prominent in a town of only 3,000 people, the 10% skyglow level will cause significant unclarity for an observer as far as six miles away (“Light pollution”).
There are three identified categories of light pollution. The first is glare. This refers to inappropriate light that causes visual unease. Nighttime driving is the epitome of this. The second is clutter, which is excessive sets of lights. For instance, Times Square has plenty of clutter. Lastly, light trespass is the third type of light pollution. Light spreading beyond where it is needed is an example of light trespass. Excess glare adversely impacts visual acuity by impairing the human eye’s ability to adjust to the dark after being in the light. This “recovery” time tends to increase with age and makes nighttime driving a dangerous hazard for old people. In some heavily light-polluted areas, the night sky doesn’t darken so much that citizens can fully achieve “night vision” when out in the open at nighttime (“Light Pollution”).
This type of pollution is destructive for birds and other animals, especially those that migrate. These animals get disoriented when flying past big, bright cities. A study made by the American Bird Conservatory shows that more than four million of these birds die each year in the US by colliding with brightly illuminated buildings. This is considered to be one of the contributing factors in the decline of migratory songbird populations. Additionally, moth and caterpillar populations get disrupted due to their avoidance of lit areas. Namely, sea turtles lose track of direction due to disruptive lights during migratory seasons, resulting in their death. A number of insects are also attracted to bright lights, but end up dying when touching them. Astonishingly, a recent study shows that some birds living near big cities, disrupted by traffic noises and unnatural lights, start singing five hours before dawn. Due to this, numerous cities have developed a “Lights Out” program, where citizens are advised to turn off their lights after a certain time. Light pollution also may hurt the human circadian rhythm. It also affects melatonin production. Nocturnal light means lower melatonin, which leads, potentially, to sleep deprivation, tiredness, headaches, anxiety, cancer, and other health-related problems (“Light Pollution”).
There are four myths commonly associated with light pollution (“Five Myths about Light Pollution”).
Myth: only big cities have light pollution.
Although they do have more anthropogenic light, light pollution can also be a problem in small towns. This is because small towns tend to be near wildlife and even just a fraction of it has a big impact.
Myth: birds are afraid of light.
They are actually drawn to light, known as being positive phototaxic. When birds fly into brightly lit areas, they get overwhelmed and can’t get out.
Myth: light pollution has worse effects on birds in the winter when it is darkest.
Light pollution is most disastrous for migratory animals during the fall or spring. Research has shown that light pollution causes stress in birds and decreases their immune system.
Myth: more efficient LED lights help curtail light pollution.
LED lights are good for our environment. However, when people start overusing them, that’s when it becomes bad. Additionally, blue-light LED bulbs are even direr to the environment.
Countless steps are being taken around the world to cease the expansion of light pollution. Organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) are improving Earth’s light pollution situation. In recent years, light pollution has gotten worse. A recent study shows one-third of the world’s population cannot see the pure night sky at nighttime. More than 80% of the human population lives under a cloudy night sky, and 99% of Europeans and Americans. The IDA was formed in 1988 to defend the night sky from light pollution. Numerous quotas are being taken today to limit light pollution. These include warmer-colored bulbs, motion sensors, and dimmers, minimizing blue light emissions, regulating unnecessary lights, and, most importantly, well-designed light fixtures. The IDA predicts that more than 75% of light pollution is the result of insufficient light fixtures. A measure of light wavelength is Color Temperature (CT). As the frequency increases, the energy of the light increases as well. Correspondingly, the wavelength decreases. The American Medical Association recommends a CT of less than 3000k for street lights and lampposts. Middle schoolers can get involved in many ways. Some of these are assessing the lighting around someone’s residence, using sky-friendly lighting at home, spreading the word, becoming a community scientist, setting up an outreach table at a community event, and being an advocate for lighting policies and ordinances in your town. People, in general, can also help. Citizens are participating in the Globe at Night (GaN) program to monitor light pollution. GaN volunteers submit night sky measurements through the smart app. Places that have no light pollution are called Dark Sky Parks (“How Can You Help Curb Light Pollution?”).
All in all, light pollution is one category of pollution that is often overlooked. Heavily light-polluted cities have bad environmental qualities, disrupted animal behaviors, and, most noticeably, a clouded night sky that obscures stars. Air pollution goes hand in hand with light pollution. Today, almost all electric energy is generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, which releases carbon, a harmful gas, into the atmosphere. On the bright side, what many people overlook is the competency to solve light pollution. Unlike other forms of pollution, this specific type can be resolved rather quickly. And that is why it is crucial for the human population to come together and elucidate light pollution.
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