What is light pollution?
In a nutshell, Light Pollution is misdirected or misused light… generally resulting from an inappropriate application of exterior lighting products. Light Pollution comes in several flavors… each with its own negative effects. These are:
Sky Glow
…light wastefully escaping into the night sky and causing a glow over urban/suburban areas.
Glare
…light shining dangerously out into peoples eyes as they walk or drive by.
Light Trespass
…unwanted light shining onto a neighbors property or into their home.
Why should I care?
Light Pollution impacts us all… in many ways. Some of these are quite obvious, others are much less obvious. For starters….
Light Pollution Wastes
billions of dollars annually in the United States alone. 5 to 10 billion depending on whose numbers you want to use.
Light Pollution Wastes
incredible amounts of valuable natural resources. Hundreds of millions of barrels of oil… and hundreds of millions of tons of coal… just so people can light the bottoms of clouds?
Light Pollution Pollutes
the air we breath through needless generation of electricity (most of which comes from fossil fuels). See the previous comment about burning oil & coal. Air pollution is a serious problem that affects large segments of the population.
Light Pollution Harms
nocturnal wildlife. Many species won’t even go near an area that has bad lighting. Also, many species will simply stop reproducing if habitat destruction from overly bright lights becomes too severe. Light Pollution currently threatens all Florida Sea Turtles.
Light Pollution Harms
humankind, being linked to some serious ailments. This is serious! This can be thought of as second hand smoke in the 1970’s. Researchers were just starting to look into the effects of second hand smoke back then. Many people laughed at the idea that one person could smoke.. and another person could be harmed. Today, we know that this is in fact the case.
Light Pollution Destroys
the views of the heavens that man has enjoyed since the beginning of time. 90% of all American live under skies that are “affected” by light pollution… while roughly half can not see the Milky Way from their homes. This is a shame. Mankind has throughout history looked to the stars to try to understand events around them.
What can I do about it?
First up, you can decide if you’re going to be part of the problem… or the solution. If you have read this far down the page, you’re probably aiming for the latter. Each one of us can contribute to the reduction of Light Pollution in our own ways. First, by making sure that our exterior lighting is ordinance compliant lighting. By this, is meant that they only light the ground beneath them… and never shine across onto a neighboring property… or into the night sky. Secondly, by making sure that your outdoor lights are only on when needed. By this, is meant that they’re only on when there is activity in the area. Dusk to dawn lighting is to be strictly avoided. Thirdly, reduce the wattage of your bulbs. The human eye is remarkable in its ability to adapt to the amount of light present. Too much light can be overwhelming and glaring… actually reducing visibility. Even a small reduction in wattage will reduce light pollution. You might be surprised with how well you can see at night with a reduced wattage. Try it out and see what works for you.
How many times do you see this?
A sports field lit up … some times hours after the match has ended … no one is playing but the lights are on and contributing to light polution
If it is a ‘local council’ sports field (and it normally is!) … that power bill is coming out of your rates!
(Money that could be spent on something positive)
Next time you see this … telephone and complain … it’s your money they are burning … and it’s everybodies sky they are poluting
Ask your representitive next time you see them … is it arrogance or ignorance that the lights a left on?
You can change attitudes at election time for sure …
Ask them what are they doing about a growing problem …
make them earn your vote
Remember … it takes as much effort to turn the lights off as it does to turn them on
