Outdoor Light Pollution
Good & Bad Lighting
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We all know why we have light outside. Outdoor lighting is used to illuminate roadways, parking lots, yards, sidewalks, public meeting areas, signs, work sites, and buildings. It provides us with better visibility and a sense of security.
People sleep better when their property is properly lighted, when their car outside is clearly visible through the window. However, light alone does not provide security, but a sense of security. Unless your up all night, nothing guards you better than a dog, a fence/door/window security system or police patrols in your neighborhood.
When well designed and properly installed, outdoor lighting can be and is very useful in improving visibility and safety and a sense of security, while at the same time minimizing energy use and operating costs.
BUT, because nobody thought at this, most street lights shine light not only on the nearby ground, where IS NEEDED, but also miles away and skywards. Thus a large fraction of the light is lost, at consumer expense and without his/her consent.
Most of the wasted light comes from the POORLY DESIGNED STREET LIGHTS. Billboards, decorative lights, poorly shielded security lights are part of the problem too, but the main culprit for the waste and ugly glow one sees above one's head at nights is from the streetlights.
Good & Bad Lighting |
International Dark-Sky Association- Light Pollution Info Sheet
Today, people who live in or near cities have lost much of their view of the universe. The view is often substantially diminished even for people who live in smaller towns and rural areas. The spectacular view of the night sky that our ancestors had on clear dark nights no longer exists. The great increase in the number of people living in urban areas has resulted in a rapid increase in urban sky glow due to outdoor lighting, brightening the heavens to such an extent that the only view most people have of the Milky Way or most stars is when they are well away from cities. This excess light in the sky has an adverse impact on the environment and seriously threatens to remove forever one of humanity's natural wonders our view of the universe.
International Dark-Sky Association- Light Pollution Info Sheet |
What Is Light Pollution?
In a nutshell, Light Pollution is misdirected or misused light... generally resulting from an inappropriate application of exterior lighting products. Light Pollution comes in several flavors... each with its own negative effects.
What Is Light Pollution? |
Wikipedia: Light Pollution
Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. It is most severe in highly industrialized, densely populated areas of North America, Europe, and Japan, but even relatively small amounts of light can be noticed and create problems.
Wikipedia: Light Pollution |
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