Light pollution

LIGHT POLLUTIONTHE DARK SIDE OF

THE LIGHT

Nurdalia Hasbullah UK 26853Bachelor of Science (Marine Science)

LIGHT POLLUTION

• Excessive or obtrusive artificial light• Light scatters in the atmosphere creating

a glow of excessive light.• Sources: street lights, harbors, airports,

stadiums, factories and recreational lighting

FORMS OF LIGHTS POLLUTION• Glare– directly viewing bright sources of

light at night will temporarily blind drivers or pedestrians unexpectedly and contribute to accidents

• Light trespassOccurs when light shines outside of the area it is intended to illuminate.

• Over-illumination– Wasted of excessive light primarily

consumed by commercial, industrial and residential sectors

• Skyglow– refers to the orange glow that can

be seen at night over populated areas when light is reflected upward.

LIGHT POLLUTION & WILDLIFE• The sky glow from towns and cities cause

nocturnal wildlife around the world to experience a loss of their night ecosystem.

• Mammals, Amphibians, Insects, Birds & Reptiles– Difficulties with finding food– Exposure to predators– Interfere with migration & navigation

• This leads to increase in mortality, decrease in population and decrease in body weight.

Light Pollution & Human• Glare on the eyes from excessive night lighting can

cause disability glare. Older drivers are particularly vulnerable to disability glare. Disability glare reduces:– Ability to distinguish contrast– Color perception

• Disturb the circadian rhythm. Over exposure to artificial light causes your circadian rhythm to be thrown off, possibly leading up to these severe side effects over time– can lead to insomnia, depression, cancer, and cardiovascular

disease. • Artificial light decreasing the levels of melatonin in your body.

Melatonin is only produced in the darkness. Even a little exposure to artificial light will disturb the melatonin production.

Light Pollution, Energy Use & Environment

• It is a contributor to global warming. Lights are powered by fossil fuels. This means there’s carbon going into the atmosphere due to poor lighting.

• Light pollution also enhances air pollution. Human-caused sky-glow "reduces a naturally occurring nitrate radical that helps cleanse the atmosphere of exhaust and ozone," (NOAA, 2010).

THE SOLUTION• Installing efficient outdoor lighting that direct

light downward and at the appropriate angle needed.

• Outdoor security, and display lighting should be fitted with quality shielded to minimize trespass and uplight.

• Organizing events.– E.g: Photography contest

• Writing articles and using pictures to inform the public.

We don't need "more lights". We need more effective lights!