How is light pollution affecting society and how are we reducing it?

 

How is light pollution affecting society and how are we reducing it?

Audrey Sylvain

Everywhere,  everyday people are using lights. It is something that we are all used to using and having. But this excessive amount of light is causing harm to an overwhelming amount. Light pollution is something we need to focus on more so we can help our planet.

Light pollution can sound a bit confusing on how something such as light can be a pollutant. Light pollution is the excessive amount of light. This can have effects on many things such as wildlife, humans, and our climate. This is caused by lights that are brighter than needed, an excessive amount of personal lights, and light shining on areas not needed. 

Light pollution can have some serious problems on human health.  Humans have a natural cycle that our body follows to produce melatonin so that we can sleep at night. LIght pollution can cause our cycle to be thrown off making it harder to sleep at night. Scientists are still researching whether blue light can cause permanent damage to the eyes but there have been studies linking blue light to delaying or disturbing the humans' rhythmic cycle making it harder to sleep at night. Light pollution has major effects on wildlife. The night is when nocturnal animals come out but when it is so bright out their night is now a day. This throws off a lot in an ecosystem.  Now prey can't hide in the dark and predators can easily see in the bright lights. Animals are used to using the natural light they are given so now that there is so much artificial light it changes  the natural environment an ecosystem is built around. .

As a society we are very dependent on lights even when they aren't necessary, for example, big cities are known for their bright lights. But there are still small steps into reducing light pollution.  Some solutions include using light bulbs that are appropriate for your area, so doing research is key. Installing motion sensor lighting can help a lot by making it so light is only used when needed. In addition, turning off extra lights is another important step. Another simple step is to ensure your lights are only permitting light where it is needed so that extra light isn't spreading.

Light is something that we all need and use every day, but we have to be more conscious about how it can affect the environment around us. Light pollution makes it harder to enjoy things that people love such as looking at the stars at night. Reducing our light pollution will also help reduce the amount of energy we are using. Reducing light pollution is something that can benefit many.

References 

“Four Ways to Reduce Light Pollution in Cities | Smart Cities Dive.” Sustainable, Connected and Livable Cities | Smart Cities Dive, https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/four-ways-reduce-light-pollution-cities/39175/ Accessed 14 June 2021.

“Light Pollution | International Dark-Sky Association.” International Dark-Sky Association, http://facebook.com/idadarksky, https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/ Accessed 14 June 2021.

“Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems | International Dark-Sky Association.” International Dark-Sky Association, http://facebook.com/idadarksky ,

https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/wildlife/ Accessed 14 June 2021.