Peri physeos 4.0

What is Light Pollution?
The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light – known as light pollution – can
have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate.
Components of light pollution include:
 Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
 Skyglow – brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas
 Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed
 Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building
exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories,
streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.
The fact is that much outdoor lighting used at night is inefficient, overly bright, poorly
targeted, improperly shielded, and, in many cases, completely unnecessary. This light,
and the electricity used to create it, is being wasted by spilling it into the sky, rather than
focusing it on to the actual objects and areas that people want illuminated.
How Bad is Light Pollution?
According to the 2016 groundbreaking “World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness,”
80 percent of the world’s population lives under skyglow. In the United States and
Europe 99 percent of the public can’t experience a natural night.
Effects of Light Pollution
For three billion years, life on Earth existed in a rhythm of light and dark that was
created solely by the illumination of the Sun, Moon and stars. Now, artificial lights
overpower the darkness and our cities glow at night, disrupting the natural day-night
pattern and shifting the delicate balance of our environment. The negative effects of the
loss of this inspirational natural resource might seem intangible. But a growing body of
evidence links the brightening night sky directly to measurable negative impacts
including
 Increasing energy consumption
 Disrupting the ecosystem and wildlife
 Harming human health
 Effecting crime and safety
Light pollution affects every citizen. Fortunately, concern about light pollution is rising
dramatically. A growing number of scientists, homeowners, environmental groups and
civic leaders are taking action to restore the natural night. Each of us can implement
practical solutions to combat light pollution locally, nationally and internationally.
You Can Help

The good news is that light pollution, unlike many other forms of pollution, is reversible
and each one of us can make a difference. Just being aware that light pollution is a
problem is not enough; the need is for action. You can start by minimizing the light from
your own home at night. You can do this by following these simple steps.
 Learn more. Check out our Light Pollution blog posts
 Only use lighting when and where it’s needed
 If safety is concern, install motion detector lights and timers
 Properly shield all outdoor lights
 Keep your blinds drawn to keep light inside
 Become a citizen scientist and helping to measure light pollution