the invention of the electric light bulb
150 years ago was one of the most
transformative milestones in history
this new form of light artificial light
brightened and made safe once dark
streets prolonged waking hours into the
evening and brought electricity into
homes for the very first time today this
glow has grown but at a cost light
pollution is the over illumination of
cities and night skies by artificial
lighting it’s caused by the abundance of
light sources emitting light outside of
an intended direction several types of
light pollution exist including glare
which is a disruptive light that shines
horizontally light trespass the unwanted
shining of light onto nearby areas and
sky glow a halo over inhabited areas
caused by the scattering of light
particles no matter what form like
pollution takes each can have unintended
yet harmful impacts wildlife
particularly sea turtles have had their
nocturnal patterns disrupted the turtle
hatchlings instinct to follow the light
of the Moon in order to reach the sea is
intercepted by the light of inland
cities because of this many never find
their way to the ocean human’s
well-being is also compromised by light
pollution the excess light can overwhelm
photoreceptor cells in the retina
damaging one’s eyesight plus it disrupts
natural sleep cycles and causes sleep
deprivation leading to a number of
health problems possibly including
cancer
light pollution also results in the
production of additional carbon
emissions each year potentially billions
of dollars worth of coal or oil which
are burned to produce electricity are
wasted on unnecessary light over the
past several decades light pollution in
North America has increased an estimated
6 to 10 percent each year arise
fueled by growing populations greater
access to electricity an increased Urban
Development efforts have been made to
help counter this rise in excess light
including the development of alternative
energy efficient light bulbs and smarter
directional lighting designs these and
other innovations will continue to
refine this 150 year old technology
artificial light and optimize it for a brighter future
150 years ago was one of the most
transformative milestones in history
this new form of light artificial light
brightened and made safe once dark
streets prolonged waking hours into the
evening and brought electricity into
homes for the very first time today this
glow has grown but at a cost light
pollution is the over illumination of
cities and night skies by artificial
lighting it’s caused by the abundance of
light sources emitting light outside of
an intended direction several types of
light pollution exist including glare
which is a disruptive light that shines
horizontally light trespass the unwanted
shining of light onto nearby areas and
sky glow a halo over inhabited areas
caused by the scattering of light
particles no matter what form like
pollution takes each can have unintended
yet harmful impacts wildlife
particularly sea turtles have had their
nocturnal patterns disrupted the turtle
hatchlings instinct to follow the light
of the Moon in order to reach the sea is
intercepted by the light of inland
cities because of this many never find
their way to the ocean human’s
well-being is also compromised by light
pollution the excess light can overwhelm
photoreceptor cells in the retina
damaging one’s eyesight plus it disrupts
natural sleep cycles and causes sleep
deprivation leading to a number of
health problems possibly including
cancer
light pollution also results in the
production of additional carbon
emissions each year potentially billions
of dollars worth of coal or oil which
are burned to produce electricity are
wasted on unnecessary light over the
past several decades light pollution in
North America has increased an estimated
6 to 10 percent each year arise
fueled by growing populations greater
access to electricity an increased Urban
Development efforts have been made to
help counter this rise in excess light
including the development of alternative
energy efficient light bulbs and smarter
directional lighting designs these and
other innovations will continue to
refine this 150 year old technology
artificial light and optimize it for a brighter future
Please follow and like us: