{"id":22030,"date":"2023-03-25T22:35:12","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T05:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/?page_id=22030"},"modified":"2024-10-04T05:49:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T12:49:38","slug":"what-is-light-pollution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"What is light pollution?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"definition\" class=\"wp-block-group is-style-ds-gr-full remove-margin-top has-gray-1-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Definition of light pollution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-lg-font-size\">Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-font-size\">When we over-light, fail to use timers and sensors, or use the wrong color of light, we can negatively affect many parts of our world, including migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals, including humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"847\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-26308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023-600x353.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023-480x282.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023-240x141.jpg 240w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/shielded-vs-unshielded-bad-better-best-2023-720x424.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"pollutant\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-16 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-r is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/il-Glare-FPO.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/il-Glare-FPO.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/il-Glare-FPO-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/il-Glare-FPO-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/07\/il-Glare-FPO-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Light can be a pollutant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">Most of us are familiar with air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution, but did you know that <em>light<\/em> can also be a pollutant?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-font-size\">Components of light pollution include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Glare<\/strong> \u2014 excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sky glow<\/strong> \u2014 brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Light trespass<\/strong> \u2014 light falling where it is not intended or needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clutter<\/strong> \u2014 bright, confusing, and excessive groupings of light sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"causes\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-10 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-l is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What causes light pollution?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-font-size\">Its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/causes\/\">See causes of light pollution<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-What-causes-light-pollution.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22952\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-What-causes-light-pollution.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-What-causes-light-pollution-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-What-causes-light-pollution-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-What-causes-light-pollution-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"how-bad\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-16 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-r is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-blackout-before-after-FPO.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22951\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-blackout-before-after-FPO.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-blackout-before-after-FPO-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-blackout-before-after-FPO-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-blackout-before-after-FPO-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How bad is light pollution?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">With much of the Earth\u2019s population living under light-polluted skies, overlighting is an international concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-font-size\">If you live in an urban or suburban area all you have to do to see this type of pollution is go outside at night and look up at the sky. How many stars can you see?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the 2016 groundbreaking \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/80-of-world-population-lives-under-skyglow-new-study-finds\/\">World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness<\/a>,\u201d 80 percent of the world\u2019s population lives under sky glow. In the United States and Europe, 99 percent of the public can\u2019t experience a natural night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"do-i\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-10 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-l is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I live in a light polluted place?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-font-size\">If you want to find out how bad light pollution is where you live, use this <a href=\"http:\/\/cires.colorado.edu\/artificial-sky\">interactive map<\/a> created from the \u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/80-of-world-population-lives-under-skyglow-new-study-finds\/\">World Atlas<\/a>\u201d data, or the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blue-marble.de\/nightlights\/2012\">NASA Blue Marble Navigator<\/a> for a bird\u2019s eye view of the lights in your town. Google Earth users can <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ftGKUSCAn2\">download an overlay<\/a> also created from the \u201cWorld Atlas\u201d data. And don\u2019t forget to check out the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.globeatnight.org\/map\/?2013\">Globe at Night interactive light pollution map<\/a> data created with eight years of data collected by citizen scientists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-Do-I-live-in-light-polluted-place-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22957\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-Do-I-live-in-light-polluted-place-1.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-Do-I-live-in-light-polluted-place-1-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-Do-I-live-in-light-polluted-place-1-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fi-Do-I-live-in-light-polluted-place-1-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"effects\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-16 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-r is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-effects-of-light-pollution.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-effects-of-light-pollution.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-effects-of-light-pollution-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-effects-of-light-pollution-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-effects-of-light-pollution-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the effects of light pollution?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">A growing body of evidence links the brightening night sky directly to measurable negative impacts on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/wildlife-ecosystems\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"82\">Wildlife and ecosystems<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/human-health\/\">Human health<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/effects\/energy-climate\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"190\">Energy and climate change<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/lighting-crime-and-safety\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"193\">Crime and safety<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/resources\/what-is-light-pollution\/night-sky-heritage\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"195\">Night sky heritage<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"solutions\" class=\"wp-block-group mb-10 is-style-ds-landing-gr is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2 is-style-darksky-landing is-style-ds-landing-l is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns !max-w-full lg:!grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-10 mb-0 px-0 py-0 ds-block-columns--2-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can be done?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\">Light pollution affects every citizen. Fortunately, concern about light pollution is rising dramatically. A growing number of scientists, homeowners, environmental groups, and civic leaders are taking action to restore the natural night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-base-font-size\">The good news is that light pollution, unlike many other forms of pollution, <em>is reversible<\/em>, and each one of us can make a difference! Just being aware that light pollution is a problem is not enough \u2014 we need to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/get-involved\">Get involved<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"659\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-take-action.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-take-action.jpg 659w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-take-action-600x619.jpg 600w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-take-action-480x495.jpg 480w, https:\/\/darksky.org\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/fi-take-action-240x248.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 659px) 100vw, 659px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. When we over-light, fail to use timers and sensors, or use the wrong color\/temperature of light, we can negatively effect many parts of our world, including migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, mammals, and humans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":22941,"parent":67,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-full-width.blade.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[619,620,602,621,618],"tags":[11,78],"advocacy_type":[],"events_terms":[],"locations_terms":[],"admin_issue":[],"class_list":["post-22030","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-causes-of-light-pollution","category-effects-of-light-pollution","category-resources","category-responsible-outdoor-lighting","category-what-is-light-pollution","tag-light-pollution","tag-outdoor-lighting"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22030"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31530,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22030\/revisions\/31530"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/67"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22030"},{"taxonomy":"advocacy_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/advocacy_type?post=22030"},{"taxonomy":"events_terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/events_terms?post=22030"},{"taxonomy":"locations_terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/locations_terms?post=22030"},{"taxonomy":"admin_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darksky.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/admin_issue?post=22030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}