Skip to main content
Light Pollution

Light Pollution

65 signatures 35 to reach 100
T
Tyler P. signed
C
Cheryl C. signed
S
Someone signed
D
Dan K. signed
S
Shaney signed
D
David C. signed
A
Alejandra C. signed
M
Maricruz signed
J
Jacquelyn C. signed
D
Daisy P. signed
Started by Anonymous 20 years, 11 months ago
Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization. It comes from sources such as domestic lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and lit sporting venues. It is most severe in the highly industrialised, densely populated areas of the United States, Europe, and Japan, but even relatively small amounts of light can be noticed and create problem. \"Light pollution\" is a term that is used to refer to light that people find annoying. Some skeptics claim that light pollution should not be compared with \"real\" pollution, arguing that any instance of stray light has no long term effect. This is because unlike traditional forms of pollution, light pollution is not persistent. The amount of light pollution at any given time is directly related to the amount of artificial light that is being emitted at that time, meaning that if all artificial lights were immediately switched off, the visual effects would cease immediately. Critics who take this point of view contend that in some cases, light pollution should not even be worried about. Campaigners wishing to reduce light pollution, however, argue that it is unrealistic to expect populations to ever switch off light en-masse, due to industrial society\'s economic reliance on artificial light. They argue, therefore, that it is a problem synonymous with traditional forms of pollution, where trends in society that are difficult to stop have long term negative effects. Campaigners contend that light pollution must be dealt with by changing the habits of society so that light is used more efficiently, with less light being wasted and directed towards places that are undesirable. Several industry groups also recognise light pollution as an important issue. For example, the Institution of Lighting Engineers in the United Kingdom provides information for its members about light pollution, the problems it causes, and how to reduce the pollution [2]. Because not everybody is irritated by the same sources of light, the term is subjective. It is common for one person\'s light \"pollution\" to be light that is desirable for another. This is often the case with advertising material, such as when an advertiser wishes for particular lights to be brightly visible, even though others find them annoying. Other types of light pollution are more certain. For instance, light that accidentally crosses a property boundary and annoys a neighbour is generally wasted and pollutive light, as it is of no use to anyone. Disputes are still common, however, when deciding if it is necessary to do anything about it. Differences in opinion over what light is considered reasonable, and who should be responsible, means that negotiation must sometimes take place between parties. Authorities have also taken a variety of measures for dealing with light pollution, depending on the interests, beliefs and understandings of the society involved. Measures range from doing nothing at all, to implementing strict laws and regulations about how lights may be installed and used. Disruption of the ecosystem Life evolved with natural patterns of light and dark, so disruption of those patterns influences many aspects of animal behavior (Longcore and Rich 2004). Light pollution can confuse animal navigation, alter competitive interactions, change predator-prey relations, and influence animal physiology. Reducing light pollution Reducing light pollution implies many things, such as reducing sky glow, reducing glare, reducing light trespass, and reducing clutter. The method for best reducing light pollution, therefore, depends on exactly what the problem is in any given instance. Possible solutions include: Improving lighting fixtures, so that they direct their light more accurately towards where it is needed, and with less side effects. Adjusting the type of lights used, so that the light waves emitted are those that are less likely to cause severe light pollution problems. Evaluating existing lighting plans, and re-designing some or all of the plans depending on whether existing light is actually needed.

Updates

August 27, 2005

The silence from our local council remains frustrating but it shows they are waiting to see if we lose steam. Post this link on your Facebook page today to prove we are not going anywhere. Call your representative and demand a meeting on light pollution ordinances before the end of the week.

August 27, 2005

We hit a major milestone today and the momentum shows that people are finally waking up to the cost of unchecked light pollution. Email your city council representative right now to demand better shielding on local streetlights. Post this petition on your Facebook wall to ensure our message reaches the next wave of local leaders.

6 Comments

D
Dave Day
20 years ago Featured

Some of these street lamps are way too bright. Waste of electricity anyway.

J
Jessica Holmes
20 years ago Featured

So tired of the light bleed from the parking lot behind my house. Can barely keep the kids asleep.

L
Lisa Mehta
20 years ago Featured

People deserve to see the night sky. We are losing our connection to nature with all this unnecessary glow everywhere.

B
Brian Mwangi
20 years ago Featured

Just turn it down a bit. We dont need to illuminate the whole highway like its high noon at 2am.

M
Mark Lee
20 years ago Featured

Living in the city means I havent seen a real star in years. Its depressing.

S
Sarah Achebe
20 years ago Featured

My neighbors porch light shines directly into my bedroom window all night. I have to use blackout curtains just to sleep. RIDICULOUS.

Help this petition grow

Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.

Sign Petition

We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.

or sign with Email

Add a comment?

Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.

By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Share Petition

Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact

Copy link or share directly

Instagram
QR Code