Light Pollution

by L and J Nicoloro

What is light pollution?

Excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive (usually outdoor) light.

Brightening of the night sky that inhibits the observation of stars and planets, caused by street lights and other man-made sources.

Various Night Skies

Good Light Sources

Good outdoor lighting should:

Optimize visibility at night for what we want lit

Minimize energy consumption

Minimize impact on the environment and ourselves

Minimize glare

Minimize light trespass

Identifying Light Pollution

Light that can be found rude, obstructive, or oppressive by the non-owners of the light

Kinds of Light Pollution

3 main kinds

Glare- light from unshielded sources.

Light trespass (AKA spill light)- unwanted light that enters one’s.

Skyglow- the combination of all the reflected light and upward-directed (unshielded) light escaping up into the sky (and for the most part, unused), causing the glow effect that can be seen over populated areas.

Kinds of Light Pollution (con’t)

Other types of pollution

Uplight- wasted light that goes directly up into the night sky, is "lost in space”, and serves no useful purpose.

Clutter- bright, confusing, ugly and excessive groupings of light sources, commonly found in over-lit urban areas.

Various Lighting Techniques

Light Pollution Diagram

Glare

Glare

Glare

Light Trespass

Light Trespass

Ineffective Lighting

Improving Lighting Designs

Minimizing Light Pollution

Improving Street Light Design

Improving Energy Efficiency

General

More than half of the world’s population now living in cities

3 out of every 4 people in cities have never experienced pristinely dark skies

Maps of Light Pollution

http://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=4&lat=5759860&lon=1619364&layers=B0TFFFTT

http://www.youcanseethemilkyway.com/light-pollution/

http://www.blue-marble.de/nightlights/2012

Light Pollution Increase (1950s-Projected 2025)

Squid Fisheries

The Effects of Light Pollution

Light pollution wastes

Light pollution consumes

Light pollution pollutes

Light pollution harms

Light pollution threatens

Light pollution destroys

How Light Pollution Affects Animals

Affect on Circadian Rhythm

Turn Out the Lights

Ashy Storm Petrel

Sea Turtle Cartoon

Baby Turtles

http://www.tourdeturtles.org/flash/LightPollution.swf

What This Means For the Future

Loss/endangerment of species

Health-related issues

Depletion of resources

How We Can Stop Light Pollution

Shielding lights properly

Only using light when and where it is needed

Only using the amount that is needed

Making sure exterior lighting only light the ground beneath them

Remember: need, intensity, duration, and spectrum

Resources

Articles

http://www.globeatnight.org/light-pollution.php

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/light-pollution/klinkenborg-text

http://www.physics.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol.html

http://www.starrynightlights.com/lpIndex.html

http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/longcore_rich.html

Resources (con’t)

Images

http://wolvesonceroamed.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/night-sky.jpg

http://www.penny4nasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/asc-csa.gc_.ca-efficient-lighting.gif

http://www.nature.nps.gov/night/assets/images/outdoorlights.jpg

http://www.physics.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-security.html

Resources (con’t)

Images

https://m1.behance.net/rendition/modules/56652753/disp/712f602803941d252f4f6122b3003654.jpg

http://a.static.trunity.net/files/141201_141300/141277/circadian_rhythm.jpg

http://physics.fau.edu/observatory/Images/parkinglot2_sm.jpg

http://www.penny4nasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wired.com-light-pollution.jpg

Resources (con’t)

Images

http://old.nightwise.org/lot04608.JPG

http://old.nightwise.org/DSC07928.JPG

http://calgary.rasc.ca/lp/Images/s_full_cutoff_roadway_lights_large.jpg

http://www.alternativesjournal.ca/sites/default/files/article/Light_Pollution_Diagram_680px.jpg

Resources (con’t)

Images

http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/files/2009/09/squid-fisheries.jpg

http://www.delmarfans.com/images/content/educate/Light_Pollution_Article/Unshielded-Light-Waste-Large.jpg

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/sustainablecitynetwork.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/71/97155ce4-3be9-11e1-a993-001a4bcf6878/4f0cd500952f6.image.jpg

Resources (con’t)

Images

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/Chance2795/media/seaturtlecartoon.jpg.html

http://www.mesa.edu.au/turtles/images/cut_the_glow.jpg

http://www.earthrangers.com/content/wildwire/protect_birds_light_pollution.jpg

http://irregulartimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/ashystormpetrellight.jpg