Light pollution and their effects

Artificial lights at night cause light pollution that affects people and nature. Earth.org takes a closer look at some recent developments in this space.

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The night sky with its countless stars and cosmic colors has inspired art, literature, science and philosophy for centuries. In the natural world, stars lead the nightly yards while hunting in the dark and making migration birds advance their inner compasses for the long trips. However, bright city lights have changed the night landscapes all over the world, which makes it increasingly difficult to recognize stars with the naked eye. Until recently, this form of pollution has received little attention, but is more and more a matter of concern, especially since almost 7 out of 10 people are expected to live in cities until 2050 until 2050.

Bright lights, dark stars

Artificial light was a groundbreaking invention for people who improves visibility in the dark and offers security. However, too much good can become harmful. Excessive or inappropriate use of artificial light outdoors causes light pollution. The highest nationwide light pollution in the world can be found in Vatican, Monaco and Macau. In contrast, the Central African Republic, the South Sudan and Tuvalu have the slightest ambient light.

The following can often be observed under the different forms of light pollution:

• Skyglow: The unnatural lightening of the night sky caused by artificial light typically over populated areas, which hides heavenly objects.
• Bloating: Intensive, uncontrolled brightness that causes symptoms or reduces visibility.
• Easy violation: Unwanted light spilled into areas where it is not intended or needed.
• Disorder: An overwhelming presence of too many light sources in an area that creates visual confusion and disorientation.

Various methods and tools were used to understand and monitor the extent of light pollution.

The Bortle scale measures the quality of the brightness of the night sky in a certain place and consists of nine levels. Class 1 represents the darkest sky of the earth, while class 9 is the sky in the city center, whereby hardly a star is visible. In order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of light pollution, under the direction of Christopher Kyba researchers, to determine the data of civil scientists integrated light pollution and asked, which was most likely to match their perspective. The resulting data showed a relevant trend: the brightness of the night sky is effectively doubling every eight years. As a result, many observatories around the world are forced to switch to remote, dark areas or to invest in the reduction of light pollution.

Beyond the night sky

Apart from the effects of the visibility of heavenly objects, light pollution also affects wild animals, disorienting migration birds and the unveiling of nocturnal predators such as bats and cougar. While researching the effects of light pollution continues, scientists have confirmed that it also has a significant impact on plant growth. The artificial light changes the ability of a plant to react to natural light and disturbs the seasonal cycles. The nightly pollination also reduces the effects on reproduction.

Artificial light (Alan) also disturbs the atmosphere, which leads to reduced air quality and negative results in public health. In order to use an example, natural processes enable the nitat radical at night to clean air by reaction with fleeting organic compounds to prevent the formation of ozone and smog. However, this vital reaction is hindered by the brightness by urban lights, which, like sunlight, radically impair and reduce its effectiveness. As a result, the air quality is undermined, whereby the health risks are shown.

Air pollution further feeds in the loop by reinforcing the Skyglow. Therefore, the adjustment to light pollution would effectively restrict air pollution and vice versa.

Look ahead

Light pollution can be reversed and restrict. It is the only way to win back the dark sky and bring order back to the natural world. It also makes financial sense: A study of 2021 showed that global light emissions represent 250,000 gigawatt hours of energy economist and increase energy costs to at least $ 50 billion. This corresponds to at least 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The improvement of lighting efficiency and minimizing light waste would thus lead to a reduction in the planning of the planetary and the costs.

Darkky International and Illuminating Engineering Society have published five principles for responsible lighting outdoors, which can be accepted by companies and individuals in order to prevent and reduce light pollution. If you adhere to the principles, it is ensured that the light outdoors is only specifically, not lighter than necessary, controlled and warm -colored if necessary. Sensitive to movement can reduce the amount of waste light. Street lighting can be optimized by leading the light down. This is achieved by positioning the light bulb so that it is surrounded at the top and on the sides and, if necessary, leads light towards the floor instead of upwards.

As a pioneer in the field of astronomical preservation of the Coconino district in Arizona, the world's first lighting regulations were implemented in 1958. This revolutionary legislation aimed to limit the use of search lights without an emergency in order to reduce light pollution and maintain the night sky. Building on this initiative, Coconino County later issued the Flagstaff Ordinance, which restricts the amount of artificial lighting per morning and turns Flagstaff the first international Dark Sky City in 2001. Home of the well -known Lowell Observatory to protect the night sky, but also to serve as a model for other communities who want to combat light pollution.

When we move forward, it is important to remember that the night sky is not just a backdrop for our world – it is a common resource that connects us to the wider universe. Every little step counts whether it is conscious efforts to reduce light waste or support guidelines that protect the dark sky. Together we can take the night back, one light after the other.