User:Calexp10/sandbox/Light Pollution

Light Pollution
Light pollution is the presence of anthropogenic lighting in spaces where lighting would not otherwise be present, polluting of the environment with unwanted or unneeded light and is caused by the improper implementation of artificial lighting. Most commonly associated with heavily populated or industrial locations, light pollution is a result of the industrialization of civilization. It is most prevalent in North America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia.



Type of Light Pollution
Image of light pollution Light trespass is the unwanted intrusion of light into private property where it is not needed or causes a nuisance, e.g., the shining of a street light into a bedroom window Over illumination is the over use of light where it is not necessary. Examples include: Glare is the scattering of lights to where it becomes disorienting or discomforting. Light clutter is the over use of lights within a certain area. Tight groupings of light may be distracting or confusing.
 * Light Trespassing
 * Over Illumination
 * 1) Incorrect fixtures or bulbs
 * 2) Daylight lighting (illumination during the daytime)
 * 3) Not extinguishing lighting when not needed
 * Glare
 * Light Clutter

Impacts of Light Pollution
Light Pollution has many impacts on the health and wellbeing of all living organisms. To begin the list of ways light pollution impacts us:
 * The use of light during the dark hours of the day is tampering with our biological rhythms, which not only risks the safety of animals, but also increases our chance of getting cancer and other life threatening diseases.
 * We lose the connection we have to the night sky by staying up for so long past sunset.
 * Excessive light increases and worsens an individual's likelihood of getting headaches, fatigue, etc.

Real World Comparison
Comparing the quality of light between urban and rural areas you can see a clear difference in the night sky. In a place like Las Vegas, New York City, and Paris the sky quality is much worse than the sky quality in more rural areas like Connecticut, Utah, and Chile. The use of excessive light in urban areas makes the sky look like a blank canvas, but in rural areas the sky is litered with stars and planets. In times before artificial light and light bulbs, humans and animals alike relied on the stars and the moon to navigate their way across the earthy terrain, there was a connection we shared, but now that connection is lost.

Reductions and Solutions
The reduction of Light Pollution has taken many forms. If we make these changes we will be a few steps closer to repairing our connection with the stars in the sky and by eliminating another source of cancer and other life threatening diseases.
 * adjust the place and position of lights at night.
 * LED lights.
 * No light trespassing
 * Implement natural light in homes/buildings
 * Educate people on light pollution