Light pollution, caused by excessive nighttime lighting, has a negative impact on biodiversity: it disturbs nocturnal animals and alters natural cycles. Uncontrolled light sources influence animal behavior, with direct effects on reproduction and migration. In humans, it can cause sleep disturbances, alter circadian rhythms and have implications for physical and mental health.
From light pollutionof his cause and of the remedies but above all of the consequences which involves is talked about – perhaps – too little. Yet, just like environmental or acoustic pollution, it is a form of alteration that in the long run can cause various problems. If you want to delve deeper into the topic, below we analyze it in detail specifying what is meant by light pollution and what are the effects that should not be underestimated.
What is light pollution?
We could define it as excessive or inappropriate nighttime lighting that disturbs the natural environment and hinders the observation of the starry sky. A phenomenon caused by artificial light sources such as street lights, public lighting, neon signs and building lights, which emit considerable light intensity and reach areas much larger than those they intend to illuminate.
How does it happen? Light propagates within the atmosphere, where it encounters particles that are suspended there and that scatter it in all directions, creating a bright background that hides the light of the stars. But this exponential increase in artificial lights due to urban and industrial development has consequences that go far beyond the obstacle to the vision of the stars.
What are the causes?
Cause of light pollution are, first of all, excessive urban lighting which often involves a disproportionate number of lights in cities, often without controls on direction (instead of pointing only downwards they also point upwards) and intensity. But also the use of public lighting tools that are not optimised or poorly positioned. Furthermore, inefficient use of energy in lighting, such as incandescent bulbs instead of LEDs, which are more modern and more energy efficient, contributes to this type of pollution.
Light pollution, effects on humans
As far as human health is concerned, light pollution can interfere with the natural circadian rhythmcausing difficulty sleeping and sleep disturbances. In addition, lights that are too bright or poorly positioned can cause eye strain or blurred vision, and in the worst cases headaches. In some people, it can contribute to stress, anxiety and irritability.
What are the consequences of light pollution on the environment?
The effects of light pollution on the environment encompass various sectors. First of all, they can involve ecosystem alterations as nocturnal animals are “disturbed” in their natural behaviors, from feeding to reproduction. Species particularly “afflicted” by this phenomenon are moths, wasps, beetles and other insects that exploit light levels to orient themselves, to court or to search for food.
Even migratory birds, influenced by artificial light, can be diverted from their natural paths. Furthermore, artificial light at night can disorient adult and newborn sea turtles, making it impossible for them to find the right path to the ocean. Even plants are affected by it since light pollution can alter the cycles of natural light. And, in fact, influence the flowering of plants.
What can be done to reduce light pollution?
Of course, everyone’s commitment is needed, and in the case of public lighting especially that of those who govern us, but in our own small way we can put into practice some precautions and respect good habits that in the long run can make a difference.
First of all, one should turn off the lights when they are not needed. In addition to correctly orienting the light sources in order to reduce their dispersion beyond the necessary area. Then, we can prefer LED lamps and other low energy consumption technologies to reduce the impact of the lighting itself. Again, we can install motion sensors so that the lights are kept on only when absolutely necessary.
If we want to reduce the negative effect of light pollution on insects, we can – as the biologist suggests Brett Seymoure, one of the authors of the study “Light pollution is a driver of insect declines” uses lights of different colors since insects are attracted by some more than others (this is the case of blue and white light).
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Source: www.greenstyle.it
