The fact is that much outdoor lighting used at night is inefficient, overly bright, poorly targeted, improperly shielded, and, in many cases, completely unnecessary. Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. (Image by Anezka Gocova, in “The Night Issue”, Alternatives Journal 39:5 (2013). The infographic above illustrates the different components of light pollution and what “good” lighting looks like. Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources.Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed.Skyglow – brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas.Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort.The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light – known as light pollution – can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate. Most of us are familiar with air, water, and land pollution, but did you know that light can also be a pollutant? The increased and widespread use of artificial light at night is not only impairing our view of the universe, it is adversely affecting our environment, our safety, our energy consumption and our health. Now, millions of children across the globe will never experience the Milky Way where they live. Less than 100 years ago, everyone could look up and see a spectacular starry night sky. Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923 had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.” “ The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago.
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