We have all heard of water pollution and air pollution. Also, most people wouldn’t argue with the fact that they are actually a problem. However, light may be the only source of contamination that is overlooked by the average consumer. That may be because the average person doesn’t think of “light” when the word pollution appears on the news or in conversation. After all, it’s just light, right? No, it’s actually not that simple. Light pollution is defined as the illumination of the night sky due to the scattering of artificial light, it is also known as sky glow. Unnecessary light not only wastes massive amounts of electricity, but also negatively affects wildlife.

Light pollution, also called sky glare, is defined as the light that is wasted in the night sky and causes a glow over urban/suburban areas. It also refers to the light that is
being refracted in the surrounding atmosphere. This refraction is strongly related to the wavelength of light. Rayleigh scattering, which makes the sky appear blue during the day, also affects light that comes from the ground up into the sky and is then redirected to become a skyglow, as seen from the ground. As a result, blue light contributes significantly more to the brightness of the sky than an equal amount of yellow light. The brightness of the sky is particularly irritating to astronomers, because it reduces the contrast in the night sky to the point that it can be impossible to see the brightest stars.

So what kind of lighting is harmful? The truth is that there is interior and exterior lighting that can be harmful in the long run. Research has been conducted on the subject for years, and it is well known that fluorescent indoor lighting can cause many health problems, including migraines, fatigue, irritability, and many other health conditions. But when it comes to the outdoor environment, nighttime security lighting poses the biggest threat in terms of light pollution. Additionally, studies have shown that outdoor security lighting does not reduce crime and uses approximately 800 pounds of carbon each year per light. Have you ever looked up at the sky at night only to see a haze of dim light? This is the perfect example of light pollution. Researchers have been studying this problem for years and have produced actual photographs of land masses, cities, and rural areas around the world at night. The results spoke for themselves; night light is definitely an issue.

Light that is considered annoying, wasteful, or harmful causes damage to the environment and health, as do other forms of pollution, such as migraines, headaches, fatigue, irritability, and many other health conditions. Approximately 800 pounds of carbon per light is wasted each year. Outdoors, light pollution harms nocturnal wildlife.

Constant lighting could destroy crops, trees, and even wildlife. Plants depend on the cycle of light and darkness for proper growth. The onset of darkness is crucial for the flowering and reproduction process. Birds have been known to fly into towers and windows at night due to confusion caused by night lighting. The fact that the night is dark is not always the case today. In some places like Las Vegas, it’s not even noticeable.
whether it is day or night because the billions are so bright you feel like you are in another dimension.

Life existed in fixed natural cycles of light and dark, so the disruption of those patterns influences many aspects of animal behavior. Light pollution confounds animal navigation, alters competitive interactions, changes predator-prey relationships, and influences animal physiology. Studies suggest that light pollution around lakes prevents zooplankton from eating surface algae, leading to algae blooms that kill lake plants and reduce water quality. Night light also interferes with the navigational ability of moths and other nocturnal insects. Night-blooming flowers that rely on moths for pollination will be affected by night lighting. This leads to the decline of plant species that cannot reproduce and change the long-term ecology of an area.

Lights on tall structures disorient migratory birds. The number of birds killed after being attracted to tall towers is estimated to be 4 to 5 million per year. The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) works with building owners in Toronto, Canada, and other cities to turn off lights during migration periods to reduce bird mortality.

Contrary to common misconception, hatchling sea turtles are not attracted to the moon. Rather, they find the ocean by moving away from the dark silhouette of the dunes and their vegetation, a behavior that interferes with artificial lights. The lights can also disorient young seabirds as they leave their nests and fly out to sea.

Night frogs and salamanders are also affected. Since they are nocturnal, they wake up at night. Light pollution causes salamanders to come out of hiding later, giving them less time to mate and reproduce.

So, to do your part for the environment, make sure your outdoor lighting complies with ordinances. By this is meant that they only illuminate the ground below them and never shine onto a neighboring property or into the night sky. Second, by making sure your exterior lights are only on when needed. Dusk to dawn lighting should be strictly avoided. Third, reduce the wattage of your light bulbs. The human eye is remarkable for its ability to adapt to the amount of light present. Too much light can be overwhelming and dazzling, actually reducing visibility. Even a small reduction in power will reduce light pollution.