Everyone has heard the name, yet only few know what it really is. In simple words, Light Pollution is pollution caused by artificial lighting. Now you may ask, “does it affect us?”
Well, the answer to that question is, it does! Light pollution is a global issue. The brightening of the night sky, mostly over urban areas, due to the numerous amounts of lights present in almost every nook and corner is messing with our ecosystem. The nocturnal light interrupts our sleep and confuses the circadian rhythm (biological tendency to operate in an internal, twenty-four-hour clock that affects sleep and physiological activities). Exposure to artificial light at night can suppresses the natural production of melatonin. (Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain produces in response to darkness)
But humans aren’t the only ones affected. Light pollution disrupts the migratory pattern of certain species of birds. Hundreds, if not millions of sea turtle hatchlings are dying every year in due to light pollution. They are travel away from the water, attracted by the lights outside.
Light pollution has been shown to negatively impact plants as well. By altering the day and night perception of plants and artificially increasing the length of the day, it can inhibit the dormancy of plants that allows them to survive the harsh climate.
Light pollution also contributes to atmospheric pollution. Nitrate radicals that help in control of smog are destroyed in excessive artificial lights which increases pollution in the atmosphere.
Various new scientific discoveries about the health effects of artificial light have convinced the American Medical Association (AMA) to support efforts to control light pollution and conduct research on the potential risks of exposure to light at night.
One thing we as citizens of the world can do is reduce the duration of artificial lighting. There are several organizations working to reduce light pollution. One of these is the U.S.-based International Dark Sky Association (IDA), formed in 1988 to preserve the natural night sky.
Arhana R
The Carbon Newsprint
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