Seeing The Light

By EssentialsMAG environment contributor ROB RENOUF

What do you associate with the word ‘pollution’? I’d anticipate answers like oil, plastic, air, river and bathing water. ‘Light’ would probably be a less common response, yet light pollution is a real environmental problem.

What is light pollution?

Light pollution is the disruption of natural patterns of light and dark by artificial lights. One aspect we may be aware of is how it impedes our view of the night sky. Whilst we might feel spiritually impoverished by this, it isn’t an existential threat like climate change. However, light pollution is also having serious negative impacts on wildlife and ecosystems, such as:

• Migratory birds are dying as a result of becoming lost and confused

• Huge numbers of insects are killed after being drawn towards lights - this impacts on many other species they provide food for

• Loss of pollinators and nocturnal pollinators becoming less active means that even plants are being affected (so our food supply is threatened as well)

• Animals reliant on darkness for protection from predators are endangered

• Populations of amphibians that normally breed in darkness are being reduced

• Blue light disrupts circadian rhythms by suppressing the production of melatonin, negatively affecting both animals and humans.

How can we help?

• Turn off lights when not needed - many of us already do this to save energy and money, but this is another good reason

• Close curtains and blinds to limit light escaping - this can also reduce heating costs

• Target light where it’s needed - directing lights downward and using shades can minimise the amount of overspill

• External lights - those with sensors are better than lighting that’s on continuously.

There are clearly legitimate reasons for lighting such as safety, so I’m not trying to make a case for getting rid of all lighting - simply for making informed decisions around potential negative impacts, trying to minimise these and ensure we only use lighting when and where it’s really necessary.

Whenever our actions disrupt the natural world, the consequences can be more serious and far reaching than we realise. Darkness plays a vital role and the impact of light pollution shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly alongside all the other ways we’re harming nature. The good news is that tackling light pollution possibly offers the ultimate ‘quick win’, given that the solution can be as simple as flicking a switch.

EssentialsMAG contributor is Rob Renouf robsrenouf@gmail.com