HOW DOES LIGHT POLLUTION DISRUPT OUR ECO-SYSTEM?

Light pollution disrupts our ecosystem.

Light pollution affects the biological rhythm of animals such as birds, insects and rodents. We switch on millions of lights at night. Excessive lighting disturbs night time migrating birds, which are attracted to light at night and thus collide with structures. Millions of birds die this way each year.

Light pollution is threatening the future of this endangered marine turtle. Hatchling sea turtles attracted to light try to reach to the source of the light, assuming that the light comes from the sea, but they end up desiccated or eaten by predators near their natal beaches.

INTRODUCTION TO LIGHT POLLUTION V - Over-Illumination

As a continuation to our previous post- Final installment!





*OVER-ILLUMINATION*

Over-illumination, basically means – excessive use of light
Over-illumination stems from several factors:

(1) Not using timers, occupancy sensors or other controls to extinguish lighting when not needed

Improper design, especially of workplace spaces, by specifying higher levels of light than needed for a given task

(2) Incorrect choice of fixtures or light bulbs, which do not direct light into areas as needed
Improper selection of hardware to utilize more energy than needed to accomplish the lighting task

(3) Office building being illuminated by HPS lamps (High-Pressure Sodium lamps) shining upwards, which causes a significant amount of light pollution, e.g., light trespassing into neighbouring buildings.Incomplete training of building managers and occupants to use lighting systems efficiently

(4) Inadequate lighting maintenance resulting in increased stray light and energy costs

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We illuminate our world by millions and millions of lights at night, whether it is natural gas burning in oil wells or industrial fisheries using lights to attract squid and other ocean life. The view from space is a picture of waste and exploitation, a visual record of the squandering of our natural capital and ecosystems.

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Light pouring into the sky serves no purpose except as a symbol of vanity, like spotlights at a Westwood premiere only for beautification with an exorbitant price to it. Besides, the wasted energy almost surely contributes to air pollution, global warming or other ecological disruption. Light pollution also obscures the view of the night sky, causing visual blight; and disrupts the natural rhythms of some species.

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These disruptions are real. Night migrating birds attracted to lights collide with structures. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 4 million to 5 million birds die this way every year. Hatchling sea turtles attracted to light end up desiccated or eaten near their natal beaches.

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Light is a drug, and our 24-hour society abuses it. Humans produce the hormone melatonin in the dark. Without darkness, production is diminished. This partially explains the greater incidence of breast cancer in women who work the night shift and never sleep in complete darkness, greater incidence of depression in full-time students that slog to meet ridiculous deadlines.

INTRODUCTION TO LIGHT POLLUTION IV - light trespass

Continuation to previous post



Light Trespass

Light trespass occurs when spill light is cast where it is not wanted. Light trespass is somewhat subjective because it is difficult to define when, where, and how much light is unwanted. An example of light trespass is when spill light from a streetlight or floodlight enters a window and illuminates an indoor area. Figures A and B depict examples of light trespass. The light trespass shown in Figure A would be significantly reduced if a shield were placed on the luminaries. In Figure B, the floodlight on the hotel casts light on the home across the street. Proper aiming of the floodlight and shielding would significantly reduce the light trespass shown in this example, shown below.

The Beautiful Night Sky