Light pollution

Light pollution

• 2.
  • Excessive orobtrusive artificial light • Light scatters in the atmosphere creating a glow of excessive light. • Sources: street lights, harbors, airports, stadiums, factories and recreational lighting
• 4.
  • Glare – directlyviewing bright sources of light at night will temporarily blind drivers or pedestrians unexpectedly and contribute to accidents • Light trespass Occurs when light shines outside of the area it is intended to illuminate.
• 5.
  • Over-illumination – Wastedof excessive light primarily consumed by commercial, industrial and residential sectors • Skyglow – refers to the orange glow that can be seen at night over populated areas when light is reflected upward.
• 6.
  LIGHT POLLUTION &WILDLIFE • The sky glow from towns and cities cause nocturnal wildlife around the world to experience a loss of their night ecosystem. • Mammals, Amphibians, Insects, Birds & Reptiles – Difficulties with finding food – Exposure to predators – Interfere with migration & navigation • This leads to increase in mortality, decrease in population and decrease in body weight.
• 8.
  Light Pollution &Human • Glare on the eyes from excessive night lighting can cause disability glare. Older drivers are particularly vulnerable to disability glare. Disability glare reduces: – Ability to distinguish contrast – Color perception • Disturb the circadian rhythm. Over exposure to artificial light causes your circadian rhythm to be thrown off, possibly leading up to these severe side effects over time – can lead to insomnia, depression, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. • Artificial light decreasing the levels of melatonin in your body. Melatonin is only produced in the darkness. Even a little exposure to artificial light will disturb the melatonin production.
• 9.
  Light Pollution, EnergyUse & Environment • It is a contributor to global warming. Lights are powered by fossil fuels. This means there’s carbon going into the atmosphere due to poor lighting. • Light pollution also enhances air pollution. Human-caused sky-glow "reduces a naturally occurring nitrate radical that helps cleanse the atmosphere of exhaust and ozone," (NOAA, 2010).
• 10.
  THE SOLUTION • Installingefficient outdoor lighting that direct light downward and at the appropriate angle needed. • Outdoor security, and display lighting should be fitted with quality shielded to minimize trespass and uplight. • Organizing events. – E.g: Photography contest • Writing articles and using pictures to inform the public. We don't need "more lights". We need more effective lights!