Light! Light! Everywhere…!! Can we honestly answer the question, “When have we seen the night sky properly?” I guess the maximum answer will be NO! If we question why? The answer is so clear: for the extra lights, but it is not as simple as that. This is pollution… YES! You’ve heard it, right?
Let’s deep dive more… The pollution we’ve talked about is light pollution. Light pollution is a silent killer that is taking the lives of millions of species on the planet and stealing the beauty of the night.
What is light pollution?
Light pollution disturbs the delicate balance between nature and the universe and is more than just a minor annoyance. The night sky’s natural darkness is disturbed by excessive, misdirected, or intrusive artificial light created by human activity. Streetlights, outdoor fixtures, and illuminated buildings are examples of artificial lights that can scatter and extend beyond their intended area, producing a glow that tampers with celestial observations and changes the environment’s natural light conditions.
How Can We Consider Light as Pollution?
The majority of people believe this horrible fallacy. Everything that can be seen is regarded as pollution. For instance, you only become aware of air pollution when you are suffocated by black smog. You only become aware of noise pollution when your sleep is disturbed by the local DJ party. Silent pollution is something we rarely notice. Pollution from light.
We no longer give much thought to the Sun and Moon cycles, even though our bodies are designed to keep up with them. The mother of invention is needed. Due to post-industrialization activities conducted under artificial lighting, humans have seriously disrupted the circadian rhythms of the human body, which are a daily cycle of activity seen in many living things that rely on sunrise and sunset.
Also, today’s workplace culture is around the clock. There will inevitably be consequences. Many of us experience memory loss at an early age. Thus, memory-supporting devices (from to-do lists to contemporary cellphones) had to be created.
Outcome? Memory loss is a slow but steady deterioration of the human mind. Who is most negatively impacted? Our young children. Their rhythms. Their development.
Types of Light Pollution
- Skyglow
Skyglow is the result of the scattering and reflection of artificial light by particles in the air, which produces a luminous glow that masks the inherent darkness of the night sky.
- Light Trespass
Light trespass is the term used to describe the undesired or obtrusive illumination that spills into places where it is unnecessary.
- Glare
When strong, uncontrolled light makes it difficult to see in low light, it’s called glare. The high intensity of lighting in the commercial and industrial sectors contributes to glare, which is uncomfortable for residents, cars, and pedestrians.
How Does Light Pollution Affect Our Environment and Health?
- Ecological Disruption
Light pollution disrupts natural ecosystems, negatively impacting species and altering night-dependent animal behavior. It can also affect the migratory patterns, reproductive habits, and eating habits of birds and insects.
- Human Health Concerns
Extended exposure to artificial light at night disrupts the circadian cycle, leading to sleep disturbances, health issues like sleeplessness, obesity, and mental health issues.
- Energy Waste
In Bangladesh, combating light pollution can significantly conserve energy and reduce the environmental impact of energy generation due to inefficient outdoor lighting. “Dark sky” does not imply “dark ground”; if you’re wise, you can have a dark sky without losing light on the ground. Everywhere in our night sky is extremely brilliant. And even where we live, the stars will gradually disappear from the night sky unless we take action.
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Writer
Mafroha Somiya
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE