This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.
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Light pollution receives far less attention than other forms of pollution, but negatively affects the environment in similar ways, shrouding the stars from our eyes at night, disrupting the migration patterns of birds, and confusing sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean. Luckily, light pollution is reversible. Take action to rein in your own light practices and spread the word to others.
Part 1 of 3:
Altering Your Outdoor Lighting
1Install LED or low-pressure sodium bulbs. Both LED and low-pressure sodium bulbs are very energy efficient for the light they produce. Low-pressure sodium bulbs produce a very warm light that does not heavily affect the atmosphere. X Research source It's vital when choosing LEDs that they are reduced in brightness/lumens, fully shielded, and are a warm (yellow or amber) correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000K or less (2700K is preferable). The key is to limit blue and green light emissions.
2Direct light to where it is needed. Use reflectors outside to help light any pathways. This saves you from purchasing a whole row of lights to brighten the same pathway. X Research source Always opt for the more directed, lower light options where possible to avoid excess glare.
3Purchase lights with bulb caps and shields. Bulb caps and shields ensure the light does not emit straight into the sky. These range from “non cutoff” all the way to “full cutoff” lights. Full cutoff shields prevent the largest amount of light "bleeding" among the shields. X Research source
4Aim your outdoor lights downward. This helps prevent stray light from entering the atmosphere. Light reflecting off of the ground, even at night, provides plentiful light for night activities. X Research source
5Install motion detector lights. These lights only turn on when they sense movement in their field of view. These can be placed on garden paths, near garages, around dark spaces and even in hallways. By turning on only when useful to someone, the lights pay for the investment rather quickly. X Research source
- If you have family members who need to use the bathroom frequently, these lights are more energy efficient than leaving one on all night.
Part 2 of 3:
Changing Your Lighting Habits
1Turn off lights you are not using. There is no need to have your entire house lit up at all times. Turn off the lights in rooms that are not currently in use.
- Turn off the lights when you exit a room, even if you are only leaving the room for a brief period of time.
- Try making signs and place them near light switches to remind everyone in the home to turn off the lights when they leave the room.
2Pull down the blinds. Having a brilliantly lit party? Keep it inside and don't let the light glow out. Pull down the blinds, pull across the drapes and dim the switches just a bit to add to the mood.
3Use "warm" lights in your house lighting. "Cool" or lights on the blue end of the spectrum are harsh and more noticeable from a distance. X Research source Warmer lighting, such as those with yellow or orange hues, is less harsh and does not spread as easily into the atmosphere.
4Install smart lights. Smart lighting kits are a great option for maintaining a greater level of control over your lights. Smart lights are able to be controlled and programmed through your smart device, allowing for a pinpoint level of efficiency in your home. They can also help reduce your electricity bills! X Research source
- Dim your lights according to the task at hand, and save the setting for later use. This can give you the minimum lighting you need at the press of a button.
- Program your smart lights to turn on only at particular hours of the day, or to turn off at certain intervals. This ensures that all of your lights will be off when you leave for work, even if you forget to turn them off yourself.
- Smart lights can also be controlled remotely. If you have left the house and a light has been left on, you can turn them off from your smart device.
5Leave some activities for daytime only. Activities that require strong lighting, such as painting walls or artwork, sewing, and cleaning, are best left to when the sun provides a light source.
- Painting, for example, requires strong, white light to properly display the true values of the colors you are working with. It’s best to paint during the day so you don’t have to turn on bright lights at night. X Research source
Part 3 of 3:
Get Socially Involved
1Spread the word to your family and friends. Many people either don't know about or don't understand sky glow and the negative impacts of too much light at night. Be an ambassador and explain the issues to others. You will then have growing ranks of night sky protectors.
- Show them images of what the night sky looks like without light pollution. NASA has an assortment of images that can help argue your case by showing the beauty of the night sky. X Trustworthy Source NASA Independent agency of the U.S. government in charge of the aerospace research and the space program Go to source
2Reach out to the neighborhood. Fighting light pollution requires a group effort. Even a few houses in a neighborhood can make a noticeable difference in night sky visibility.
- Reach out to your neighbors in a friendly manner. Consider sending them a letter or bringing it up during a block party. Many people are unaware that their lights are harmful or distracting.
- Suggest alternatives to their existing lights, and offer to help them choose and install replacements. X Research source
3Write a letter to your city council. Suggest that they change local street lights to more eco-friendly variations. There are a variety of new street lamps that are designed to reduce light pollution as well as cut back on costs. X Trustworthy Source National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents Go to source
4Join a light pollution awareness group. Several awareness groups dedicated to light pollution have been created in recent years. They offer a way to put your head together with like-minded individuals to create change on a larger scale. X Research source
- These awareness groups provide additional tips for eco-friendly lighting, as well as which lighting products are healthiest for the environment.
5Support green buildings. Many buildings have begun building “green” in order to become more eco-friendly. If the building where you work is renovating or if new construction is starting in your neighborhood, ask the party responsible about their plans to combat light pollution.
- Direct your employer to organizations such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED recognizes and certifies buildings that build green, which can help bring some positive attention to your company. X Research source
QuestionWhat can I do to tell people about this if I'm shy?Bess Ruff, MABess Ruff is a Geography PhD student at Florida State University. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.
Environmental ScientistEnvironmental ScientistExpert AnswerLeading by example is always a great way to influence people without requiring you to talk to people directly. Start making changes to your light use and when people ask why you are doing something, you can explain to them your purpose.
QuestionIs light pollution a concern in rural areas, too?Community AnswerLight pollution is usually not a problem in most rural areas. It tends to occur in densely populated areas where the large number of lights outshine the stars in the night sky.
- Note that natural light pollution in the snow, because the moonlight gets reflected and sprayed back into the sky.
- Smog can also impair our view of the stars. If you live in a city or other busy area, you might also be obstructed by air pollution.
- Use a telescope to look out into the night sky. Jot down the visibility in a journal or take pictures to track your progress.
- ↑ http://darksky.org/lighting/lighting-basics/
- ↑ http://www.everythingconnects.org/reduce-light-pollution.html
- ↑ http://www.delmarfans.com/educate/basics/lighting-pollution/#prevention
- ↑ http://www.lisierraclub.org/#!light-pollution/c2117
- ↑ http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/stories/5-ways-you-can-reduce-light-pollution
- ↑ http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org/for-wonks/lamp-spectrum-light-pollution/
- ↑ https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/modern-home/advantages-smart-home
- ↑ http://willkempartschool.com/art-studio-lighting-design/
- ↑ https://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/index.html
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