Buzz
Understanding light pollution succinctly, it is the phenomenon of artificial light overpowering natural light at night, affecting various activities, ecosystems, human health, and more.
Light pollution is the result of human overuse of artificial light.
As defined by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), any adverse impacts of artificial light include skyglow, glare, light trespass, clutter, diminished night vision, and energy waste, all of which constitute light pollution.
This type of environmental pollution is often overlooked because it doesn't directly cause discomfort and serious effects like water or air pollution, but it carries numerous dangerously harmful consequences.
Causes of light pollution:
The development of urban lifestyles is the primary cause of the issue. Urban living increasingly demands artificial light: brighter, farther-reaching, and penetrating through the night.
Artificial light flooding the darkness
Daily habits, work requirements, recreational needs, and more—all are legitimate human needs and simultaneously the reasons for phenomena directly impacting human life.
Adverse effects of light pollution:
Light pollution silently brings about macroscopic negative impacts such as ecological disruption, interference with astronomical activities, energy wastage, and more.
Among these, energy wastage is the most visible harm. In reality, up to 50 – 90% of the light in buildings is unnecessary, and the world consumes a quarter of its energy resources to fuel that waste.
More worrisome, according to the International Dark-Sky Association, artificial light creates a stark contrast between light and darkness, making it easier for criminals to lurk.
Constantly turning on lights leads to headaches, anxiety, and even breast cancer
Above all, the very negative impacts on humans: health, psychology, and reproductive function are all affected. Try to confirm, do you feel more tired the next day if you turn on the light while sleeping? That's not just because of shallow sleep but also the physical impact of light on our bodies. Sleeping regularly under the light of a lamp also accelerates the aging process of the skin. Feeling stressed, irritable, headaches, anxiety often occur. Even, there is documentation that the habit of turning on lights while sleeping causes breast cancer.
Solution
Like any other pollution, the causes come from human habits, so calling for everyone to abandon their habits and needs is impossible. Instead, change to environmentally friendly lighting devices:
- Reassess the existing lighting system (in terms of brightness, environmental friendliness) and repair, change if necessary;
- Choose the type of lamp with suitable light wavelength;
- Use devices with timer and lighting schedule functions;
- Turn off lights when not needed;
- Prioritize using desk lamps, lamps with warm light to protect the eyes.
Turn off lights to reduce light pollution
Environmental pollution is a big issue but can be tackled with small habits. 'Turn off - when not in use!' Let's together save electricity, save light - first and foremost for ourselves and each family member!
