Light pollution is the misdirected illumination that wastes energy and money while harming the environment and human health. It contributes to air and water pollution, disrupts wildlife, and has been linked to various health issues, including breast cancer. Solutions include using energy-efficient lighting, shielded fixtures, and advocating for better lighting regulations.

1. Light Pollution

2. What is Light Pollution? It is light that is shining in the wrong direction. Instead of shining onto the ground where it is needed it shines up into the sky. It is wasted energy. It is wasted money. It causes increased air and water pollution. It robs us of the majesty of the Night Sky.

3. The Earth from Space at Night

4. Europe & the Mid-East at Night

5. East Asia Japan Indonesia & Australia

6. The United States at Night

7. Light Pollution Facts Every Year the EU wastes more than €Billion lighting up the Night Sky. Light Pollution creates air and water pollution, including mercury pollution. Poor Lighting kills millions of birds each year and affects the habitats of many other species. Light pollution affects human health and has been linked to breast cancer.

8. More Facts Typical lighting on a single billboard requires the burning of 7 TONS of coal per year. This creates 23 Tons of carbon dioxide , a greenhouse gas. 356 lbs. of sulfur dioxide which creates acid rain. 215 lbs. Of nitrogen oxide which creates smog. about .03 gram of mercury. As little as .001 parts per million of mercury can cause health problems.

9. More Facts A 55 watt Low Pressure Sodium light puts out as much light as a 115 watt High Pressure Sodium light or a 175 watt Mercury Vapor light.

10. Light Pollution Negatively Affects Animals Millions of birds die each year from collisions with brightly lit buildings and towers. The light confuses them and interferes with their migration. Poor lighting near oceans interferes with newly hatched sea turtles from finding the sea. Poor lighting eliminates habitat for deer, loons, eagles, and other animals. Studies have shown that light pollution affects humans by interfering with circadian rhythms causing grogginess, impaired thinking, depression, and has been linked with some cancers, especially breast cancer.

11. Lighting Definitions Poor Lighting is defined as lighting that allows light to either shine upwards and/or shine off to the sides which causes glare. This also wastes energy. Good lighting prevents light from going upwards or off to the side and only puts light on the ground where you need it. It is also more energy efficient.

12. Bad Lighting

13. Good Lighting

14. Light Trespass Light trespass is when the light from someone else’s property shines onto your property.

15. Some Solutions Hubble Skycap For NEMA Lights The Culprit The Solution Before and After

16. Some Solutions

17. Things to do to Reduce Light Pollution Use Energy Efficient Lighting Sources like Low Pressure Sodium. Use only enough light to get the job done. Use fully shielded light fixtures that put the light on the ground where you need it and not into the sky. Use motion sensing lights. Talk to politicians about reducing light pollution by enacting lighting legislation.