2023-09-20 15:39:22
Of all types of pollution, light pollution is surely the one that receives the least attention, despite being capable of generating serious consequences both on people’s health and on the environment.
Light pollution is understood as the excess artificial light, that is, generated by human beings, which is emitted undesiredly into the atmosphere. It can be caused by a inefficient use of different artificial light sourcesdue to excessive or unnecessary lighting or poor planning and management of light sources.
In recent years, light pollution has increased enormously. According to data from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), This type of pollution has grown by at least 49%. And according to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), Light pollution increases by 2% every year and it is one of the main causes of the gradual disappearance of insects, since most are adapted to using any small source of natural light to orient themselves and human lights disorient them.
The most worrying thing is that light pollution has become a serious environmental problem, with a direct impact on human health and that of ecosystems. Let’s review some of its most immediate consequences.
Effects of light pollution:
Consequences on the environment: light pollution alters natural cycles. This can affect ecosystems and biodiversity, unbalancing interactions between species. This type of pollution contributes to the degradation of the night sky and the loss of its visibility. In addition to increasing climate change
Disorientation and disturbance of fauna: Over lighting at night affects insects and many other animal species like bats or sea turtles; It disrupts your internal clock and alters your eating and reproduction habits. Birds are especially harmed by this excess of light and noise, which disorients them during their migrations.
Impact on human health: At night, excess bright light can produce greater suppression of melatonin productiona hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, which can lead to sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Light pollution has also been associated with health problems, such as stress, fatigue, depression and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
What to do about light pollution
Although this type of pollution may seem like a problem that administrations or businesses have to solve (by turning off the lights in shop windows or those in buildings at night, for example) it is important to raise awareness for the better use of electric light because it concerns us all. It is up to us to perform small gestures such as:
Turn off the lights if you are not using them. A measure that your pocket will also appreciate.
Replace traditional light bulbs with LEDs or CFLs (compact fluorescents). These are green and economical alternatives, so they help reduce light pollution. Replace mercury lamps with sodium lamps, as they pollute less.
Reorient lighting points to avoid glare and energy waste.
Reduce the use of electronic gadgets, such as television, tablets or smartphones. Experts recommend stopping looking at the screens of these types of gadgets at least two hours before going to sleep; And if you wake up in the middle of the night, try to avoid looking at your mobile phone. When it comes to ensuring a good rest, it is important to have a good blind box that assures us the darkening of the room and do not allow light to pass through.
Restrict – if possible – certain activities for the morning. It is best to schedule activities that require good lighting, such as painting, tidying, sewing or cleaning, when the sun becomes a good light source.
Although large cities are where light pollution has become most noticeable, it is a situation that we can all reverse if we do our part.
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Published by: Healthy Housing
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