LIGHT POLLUTION

Excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial (typically outdoor) light is referred to as

light pollution. Light pollution has a number of negative effects, including obliterating
stars in the night sky, interfering with astronomical study, disrupting ecosystems,
causing bad health effects, and wasting energy.

Causes of Light Pollution

1. Excessive use of light

Source: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/704531935449174405/

People are less concerned about their electricity consumption now

that electricity has become very inexpensive. As a result, there is an
excess of electricity consumption as well as excessive use of
light.Electricity use, particularly at night, can result in significant light
pollution, which can have a negative impact on neighbors.
 2. Overpopulation

Source:https://blog.arcadia.com/15-key-facts-statistics-light-pollution/

This makes sense because overcrowding usually results in a higher

population density.As the population density rises, so does the use of
technological gadgets and lighting. As a result, there is a higher level of
light pollution.

3. Infrastructure planning
 Source: https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/opinions/opinions/ai-and-
infrastructure-planning-by-ashay-prabhu-co-founder-of-assetic

To be able to limit the negative impacts of light pollution, proper infrastructure

planning is necessary. People living in these homes, for example, may be badly
affected by light pollution if lamps are put too close to their homes.
4. Smog and Clouds

Light pollution occurs when smog and clouds reflect the light emitted by
cities, making the surrounding area appear considerably brighter.
 Source: https://sciencing.com/difference-between-smog-fog-
8093163.html

5. Lights From Cars and Other Motor Vehicles

Light pollution is exacerbated by automobiles and other vehicles, especially
at night. In regions where there are few other light sources, car lights beam
brightly. The lights of cars may have an unfavorable effect on people's
sleep if they reside near streets with high traffic congestion.

Source:

https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2018/12/20/brighter-headlights-cause-
problems-heres-how-got-way/2356307002/

6. Streetlamps, Light From Houses and Garage Lamps

Light pollution and human health can be caused by street lamps placed too
close to homes. This may have a negative impact on people's sleep due to
bad street planning.Light pollution can also occur when a neighbor simply
leaves the lights on in his or her home, even late at night.When a neighbor
puts on the garage lamp at night, it might be an extra source of light
pollution, reaching surrounding residences and hurting individuals.

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8a6e-f7e0f64a3fb6.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___.jpg

7. Nighttime-lighting
All types of nocturnal lighting can have a negative impact on
individuals, resulting in light pollution. An excellent example would be
lit advertising areas that emit light pollution onto the nearby homes at
night.
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ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8Y2l0eSUyMGxpZ2h0cyUyMGF0JTIw
bmlnaHR8ZW58MHx8MHx8&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&w=1000&q=80

8. Downtown Areas
Because skyscrapers in urban locations are usually well-lit, they emit
a tremendous amount of light. Because many of the lights will be on
24 hours a day, seven days a week for traffic and commercial
purposes, they will significantly contribute to light pollution.
Source: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/07/city-night-life-pollution.jpg

Effects of Light Pollution

Increasing energy consumption

Lighting that emits too much light or shines when and where it’s
not needed is wasteful. Wasting energy has huge economic and
environmental consequences.
Source: https://www.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Energy-waste-web-1-
647x500.jpg

Disrupting the ecosystem and wildlife

Source: https://www.darksky.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/09/Migrating_geese_fullmoon_Michael_Menefee-
450x347.jpg

For billions of years, all life on Earth has relied on the Earth's consistent
day-night cycle. All plants and animals have it encoded in their DNA. By
lighting up the night, we have completely interrupted this cycle.Plants
and animals rely on the Earth's daily cycle of light and shade to regulate
life-sustaining behaviors like reproduction, nutrition, sleep, and predator
defense. Many organisms, including amphibians, birds, mammals,
insects, and plants, are thought to be negatively affected by artificial
light at night, according to scientific data.

Human Health

Artificial light exposure at night can be harmful to your health.

The natural light-dark cycle of day and night evolved into the rhythms of
humans. Because of the widespread use of artificial lighting, most of us
no longer have really black nights.

Artificial light at night has been shown to have a harmful impact on

human health, increasing the risk of obesity, depression, sleep
difficulties, diabetes, breast cancer, and other diseases.

Source:
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/assets/images/microbiomebanner.jpg

Lighting, Crime and Safety

Streetlights do not prevent accidents or crime, according to a 2015
study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health,
but they do cost a lot of money. The researchers examined data on
traffic collisions and crime in 62 local authorities across England and
Wales and discovered that lighting had no effect, regardless of whether
authorities turned them off completely, dimmed them, turned them off at
specific hours, or replaced them with low-power LED lamps.
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