Light Pollution
Astronomers define light pollution as “Artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed.” Light pollution is affecting the life cycle of many nocturnal animals. Nocturnal animals sleep during the daytime and perform their activities at night. Due to the brightness of the night sky, their nighttime environment is disturbed. This is radically altering the ecosystem. The species that use darkness for protection from predators are losing their habitats. Artificial lighting is causing some diseases in humans like sleep deprivation, depression and obesity. Our body works according to the circadian rhythm of the day and night. It generates some hormones in our body while sleeping in the dark, which is very essential for our body. Like melatonin, it is a very essential hormone which induces sleep and reduces depression and is generated only in darkness at night. Because of artificial lights in the nighttime, its production in the human body is being affected and consequently, people are becoming more medically stressed and sleep-deprived.
While some people might argue that outdoor lighting during the nighttime is important for their safety because it can reduce crimes and road accidents. Public lights are often thought to be necessary for improving safety and reducing crimes. Some people assume that the more artificial light around their property will keep them safe from crimes like being robbed. It might be true in some cases. For instance, in the past when artificial lights were newly introduced, it helped the police in reducing crimes. As it was said by Emerson in 1860: “gaslight is found to be the best nocturnal police” (Kevin). But it is not true for the present time. Artificial lighting can never be a reason for safety for humans, but it increases the chances of crime and unsafely by exposing everything. A US Institute of Justice study concluded: “We can have very little confidence that improved lighting can prevent crime”. Poor or too much lighting can have opposite effects. “Glare from bright lights creates shadows where criminals can hide”. Glare from outdoor or streetlights decreases the security in actual. According to a 2012 report by the American Medical Association, “Glare from nighttime lighting can create hazards ranging from discomfort to frank visual disability”. While driving at night, poor lighting can affect our vision, which can result in accidents. According to the 2015 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Health Community, streetlights don’t prevent accidents or crimes. According to their results of experiments, from 19% of nighttime collisions, most of the collisions (that were 8%) have occurred on the roads that were illuminated with white streetlights.
In short, light pollution affects almost every species on Earth. Less than a century ago, we were able to enjoy the starry night sky, but now our generation might not be able to experience the beautiful arc of the Milky Way Galaxy, the galaxy in which they live. Artificial light has adversely affected our ecosystem, our health and our sky. But the good news is that, unlike other kinds of pollution, light pollution can be controlled. It can be reversed. Just having awareness about it isn't enough; the need is for action. We all can start by reducing the excessive use of lights in our own homes. Like using lights only when and where they are needed. Using shielded lights, like lights which are directed downward and only illuminate the required area. Avoiding those lights whose glare goes up to the sky, interfering with the starlight. This can create a significant difference. We all must play our role in making our planet a perfect place for us and our future generation to live and enjoy the beauty that it has offered us.
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