Light Pollution: Home

"Light pollution is the effects of artificial lighting that harm the environment or interfere with people's view of the night sky."¹

Here is an example of a night sky without major light pollution. Isn't this something worth working towards?

¹Pasachoff, Jay M. "Light pollution." World Book Advanced, World Book, 2020, www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar753958. Accessed 8 Dec. 2020.

Consider:

• The night sky—when unimpeded with light pollution—is a scientific laboratory in its own right. Filling it with unnecessary artificial light takes that laboratory away from both professional and amateur astronomers.

• Light pollution also takes it away from children who might otherwise be inspired to become scientists.

• Did you just yawn? Some studies suggest that fabricated light sources affect humans' sleep patterns.

• Other studies suggest that they can also affect sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife.

• Can the driver coming towards you in the opposite lane see you when you're on the road? Wasted light from streetlamps, businesses, and the like can cause glare in a driver's eyes.

Not convinced? Here are even more reasons why unnecessary artificial light is harmful (under The Negative Effects of Light Pollution).