One form of earthly pollution that takes a backseat to others is light pollution. It’s not as catastrophic or immediately obvious compared to pollution in the air and the water, but it still has a strong impact on nature and the human population alike.
Light pollution dampens the great treasure of the night sky, once so vivid and bright, but now too often turned into a bland landscape of gross haze. Lights cast a glow over skylines in urban areas like cities and causes what we know today as light pollution. It can be extremely harmful to the environment, with effects such as disorienting animals and plants and destroying ecosystems.
“Light pollution is increasing globally, in both developed and developing countries. Satellite data show that from 2012 to 2016, continuously lit areas brightened at a rate of 2.2% per year. The naturally dark area is shrinking too as Earth’s artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2.2% per year. Furthermore, recent citizen scientists’ measurements indicate that the average night sky got brighter by 9.6% per year from 2011 to 2022, which is equivalent to doubling the sky brightness every 8 years,” according to the National Park Service.
The issue continues to grow because of urbanization and the lack of laws to prevent it.
Light pollution poses itself as a quieter, less noticeable threat, but the impact it has on animals all over the world takes its toll on wildlife.
“Sea turtles live in the ocean but hatch at night on the beach. Hatchlings find the sea by detecting the bright horizon over the ocean. Artificial lights draw them away from the ocean. In Florida alone, millions of hatchlings die this way every year,” as stated by the DarkSky International Organization.
Already endangered, these sea turtles face even more hardships because of artificial man-made light, which proves that it can contribute to the endangerment of species. More people must become aware of light pollution so that change can occur and that dangers can be limited to innocent animals.
Plants are also heavily impacted by light pollution, which impacts humans in the process.
“Reproduction in many native plants relies on nocturnal pollinators and seed transporters, including bats, moths, possums, ants, and native rats. Plants also depend on a network of animals, fungi, and bacteria to process soil nutrients and maintain soil structure. Artificial light can reduce native plant growth, reproduction, and fruit production by: distracting, repelling or killing pollinators, reducing flower visits and the amount of pollen transported,” according to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
In addition to the influence on plants and animals, humans take a direct hit in mental health because of light pollution.
“Many studies have shown that exposure to artificial light at night negatively affects human health, including increased risk for: Sleep disorders, Depression, Obesity, Diabetes, Heart disease, and Cancer,” according to the DarkSky International Organization.
Light pollution can be lessened through improvements to streetlights. Shielding light towards the ground instead of exposing it upwards can go a long way in decreasing the glare. Streetlights that operate on timers and motion detectors are another important way to reduce light pollution.
Here in Pittsburgh, the city took action back in 2021, showing the initiative in preserving nighttime visibility.
“This is the first ordinance of its kind in the country and aims to replace the city’s 35,000 streetlights, and install up to 8,000 new ones. Dark sky lighting uses technology, like motion sensors, dimmers and timers, cooler temperature bulbs, and shielding — which makes sure light is directed down instead of up — to reduce light pollution while providing enough lighting for safety and comfort,” wrote Emily Payne in 2021 for Carnegie Mellon University.
Fotunately, light pollution is the least difficult form of pollution to reverse. Just simply turning off the lights can improve the matter, but the lack of attention to the problem needs to change. It may not be as harrowing or frightening as other environmental problems, but it is deleterious to this planet, and it is time to make progress.
