When You Wish Upon A Star: Light Pollution
When we were younger, we were taught to look at the stars and all our dreams would come true. As we age, we are redirected toward glittering billboards, blinding lights, and illuminated cities holding the same promise. When we have greater dreams, we still crane our necks upward to the stars. Nowadays, it’s not possible to wish upon stars; it’s that we can’t anymore.
The modern world has introduced many forms of pollution, but one that has flown under the radar is light pollution. Unknown to most, the amount of artificial light produced by homes, businesses, and city centers pollutes our skies. Light pollution is caused by these light sources spilling beyond the illuminated sources into other areas, such as surrounding ecosystems, and even reflect into the sky (International Dark-Sky Association, n.d.). There are many forms of light pollution, notably, ‘sky glow’, which hinders and blurs our ability to see stars. The adverse effects of light pollution are not limited to impaired visuals rather it has broader impacts on our health and especially on the environment.
For human beings, multiple health risks are caused by artificial light such as the disruption of our natural circadian rhythm and melatonin production (National Geographic, n.d.). Artificial light is also a safety hazard with the glare it causes, shielding suspicious activity from most (Globe At Night, n.d.). However, the real victims of this whole ordeal are the numerous disrupted ecosystems. For years, darkness was used as a cover for many nocturnal animals. The introduction of artificial light at night threatens the interaction of predator and prey (International Dark-Sky Association, n.d.). More than this, Light pollution has drastic effects on plant physiology, breeding patterns, migratory routes, predator-prey relationships, and many more on the other inhabitants of this planet.
A popular example of the negative effects of light pollution is when newly-hatched sea turtles are led away from the ocean by artificial lights, making them vulnerable to getting run over or even predated on (James Madison University, n.d.). At its peak, over 51% of hatchlings were left disoriented by light pollution (Sea Turtle Conservancy, n.d.). Many interventions have transpired for the further prevention of this issue, but it is still considered one of the modern world’s most dismaying consequences.
Migratory birds are no exception. Nocturnal migrant birds are disoriented by the amount of artificial light and are often left circling the same area, losing energy and making it difficult to reach their destination. Light pollution has severely affected migration patterns to the point that countries and organizations worldwide call for a reassessment of light pollution causes (United Nations, 2022).
Moreover, the nocturnal predator community is left at risk by artificial light that seeps into their hunting grounds. Bats are greatly affected by this change. Bats are usually light-avoiding animals and light pollution has made their hunting patterns problematic. Some bats refuse to leave their homes out of fear of the excess lights outside while those that do can no longer find insects to prey on (Bats Conservation Trust).
The full effects of light pollution can be clearly observed in coastal communities. Recent observations have shown that light pollution has a growing influence on marine organisms like fishes and corals, and eventually, to the people living there.
As more and more communities are settling down near the coasts for their livelihood, artificial light has found its way even in the deepest trenches of the ocean(Davies, T.W., McKee, D., Fishwick, J. et al.). The once dark sea is being exposed to light spillage. Researchers have found that artificial light alters ocean environments, especially on tropical shores with clearer waters which can be easily penetrated by light (Prifysgol Bangor University). Recent studies on coral reefs have shown a physiological change with higher rates of oxidative stress levels, lower photosynthesis rate, and others (Ayalon, I., Marangoni, L., Benichou, J., et al.). This is significant because coral reefs are homes to various fish species and any negative effect on them will also affect their inhabitants.
Commercial fishing is not safe as the fish population is greatly affected by the disruptive effects of light pollution.
The increase of artificial light gives bigger fish an upper hand as hunting for prey becomes much easier. This causes an imbalance in number, proving to be problematic for the future of fishing if not enough time is given for these small fish to develop into suitable fishing sizes (Becker, A., Whitfield, A., Cowley, P., et al.). Common fishes like salmon have shown behavioral differences caused by artificial light as well (Fishbio, 2018). Although results are inconclusive at the moment, this evidence shows that we might uncover the harm light pollutants cause to coastal communities far too late.
Artificial light was a revolutionary invention that altered life on Earth, but we have often forgotten one thing: Everything on Earth is interconnected. In the wake of human innovation, other living organisms that share the world with us suffer from our apathetic inventions. Although we can never expect to go back to a time of darkness, the light was always meant to guide our paths to a better future.
Light Pollution seems like an all-too-big topic that is impossible to solve for one person alone. Truly, it would take entire systems to change for light pollution to be mitigated completely. Collectively, we can demand for better accountability from leaders. There is yet to be any legally binding action that will minimize the use of light at night.
However, there are also easy ways to at least reduce your personal light pollution. This means reducing the unnecessary habitual instances we keep our lights on. It starts by reducing our energy consumption at night. This can be as easy as turning off your lights, indoor and especially outdoor! Another easy way would be to switch to energy-efficient lighting like LED lights and making sure all light is pointing downwards so none will spill towards the sky.
It’s time we put more thought and consideration with every decision we make when it comes to using light. When we keep in mind the personal and environmental benefits of relying on natural lighting, we protect all who co-habitate this planet with us.
In our own little ways, we can make a difference. One day, we can all start making wishes on stars once again.
REFERENCES:
Ayalon, I., Marangoni, L.F., Benichou, J., Avisar, D., and Levy, O. Red Sea corals under Artificial Light Pollution at Night undergo oxidative stress and photosynthetic impairment. Global Change Biology 25, 12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14795.
Becker, A., Whitfield, A.K., Cowley, P.D., Järnagren, J., and Næsje, T.F. Potential effects of artificial light associated with anthropogenic infrastructure on the abundance and foraging behaviour of estuary-associated fishes. Journal of Applied Ecology 50, (2013). doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12024.
Coastal light pollution disturbs marine animals, new study shows. (2015). Prifsygol Bangor University. Retrieved from https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/archive/coastal-light-pollution-disturbs-marine-animals-new-study-shows-22629.
Davies, T.W., McKee, D., Fishwick, J. et al. Biologically important artificial light at night on the seafloor. Sci Rep 10, 12545 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69461-6.
Information About Sea Turtles: Threats from Artificial Lighting. (n.d.). Sea Turtle Conservancy. Retrieved from https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-artificial-lighting/.
Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems. (n.d.). International Dark - Sky Association. Retrieved from https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/wildlife/.
Light Pollution. (n.d.). International Dark - Sky Association. Retrieved from https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/.
Light Pollution: The Overuse & Misuse of Artificial Light at Night. James Madison University. Retrieved from https://www.jmu.edu/planetarium/light-pollution.shtml.
Lighting. (n.d.). Bats Conservation Trust. Retrieved from https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/threats-to-bats/lighting.
Some Like it Dark: Light pollution and salmon survival. (2018). FISHBIO. Retrieved from https://fishbio.com/like-dark-light-pollution-salmon-survival/.
United Nations. (2022). World migratory bird day illuminates the dark side of light pollution. UN News: Global perspectives Human stories. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1118262#:~:text=Artificial%20light%20alters%20natural%20patterns,resulting%20in%20disorientation%20and%20collisions.
What is Light Pollution. N.d. Globe at Night. Retrieved from https://www.globeatnight.org/light-pollution.php.
All photos were taken from Pexels.