Light Pollution Isn’t a Light Matter

This story first appeared in Elkhart High School’s “The Pennant,” in March of 2024 and was slightly revised for YEPT to include information on Indiana efforts.

I, like many others, absolutely adore the beauty of big cities. There’s something mystifying about the tall buildings reaching up into the night sky, their windows shining like stars. The bright signs, giant billboards, and street lights not just light up our way but make the city look alive. I’ve always been in awe of the city of Chicago at nighttime, and how the light of its skyscrapers reflect into the Chicago river. To me, these lights were like the city’s heartbeat, showing its energy and excitement. 

But while we are caught up in this beauty of urban architecture and attractions, we often miss what’s missing in the night sky: stars. In the midst of all the artificial glow, our night skies have turned practically pitch black, devoid of the celestial bodies that have inspired countless generations. It’s a strange trade-off — the very lights that make our cities so magical also steal away the natural wonder of the starlit sky.

Diving into the statistics reveals a startling picture: a significant portion of the world’s population lives under skies so bright that the Milky Way is virtually invisible to them. According to recent studies, more than 80% of the world, and more than 99% of the U.S. and European populations, live under light-polluted skies. This means that the twinkling stars, once a universal spectacle, are now a rare sight reserved mostly for those in remote, rural areas far removed from the glow of city lights.

This widespread light pollution not only dims our view of the stars but also highlights a global issue that extends beyond mere sights and aesthetics. One of the most concerning effects of excessive artificial light is its impact on our health, specifically on our sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by many outdoor LEDs and screens can significantly decrease the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep. Lower levels of melatonin don’t just make it harder to fall asleep; they’re linked to various health problems, including depression, obesity, and even an increased risk of cancer. 

Global cities at night; photo courtesy of NASA.

The consequences extend far beyond humans. Wildlife is profoundly affected by light pollution in ways that disrupt entire ecosystems. For example, many species of birds use the stars to navigate during their nocturnal migrations. Bright city lights can disorient them, leading to fatal collisions with buildings. Similarly, sea turtles hatching on beaches rely on the natural light horizon over the ocean to find their way to the water. Excessive artificial light can confuse them, drawing them toward dangerous urban areas instead of the sea. Even insects, which play essential roles in pollination and as part of the food web, are impacted. Artificial lights attract and trap them, disrupting their life cycles and reducing their populations, which in turn affects the species that rely on them for food.

So, what can we do to remedy these issues? While it isn’t possible for cities to become “undone” and plunge into absolute darkness, it’s crucial for cities and individuals alike to take steps towards reducing light pollution. One effective measure is adopting lighting that minimizes sky glow and glare. This includes using fully shielded fixtures that direct light downward, where it’s needed, rather than scattering it into the sky. Switching to warmer-colored LED lights, which have less impact on our circadian rhythms (the physical, mental, and behavioral changes we experience over a 24-hour cycle) and the environment, can also make a significant difference. On a larger scale, communities can implement “dark sky” initiatives, which aim to preserve and protect the night sky through responsible lighting policies and public education on light pollution. Moreover, individuals can contribute by being mindful of their own lighting use. Simple actions like turning off unnecessary lights at night and using motion sensors or timers can reduce light spill into the environment. 

In order to combat light pollution and its resulting collateral on migrating birds, “Lights Out” initiatives are in place in various cities nationwide. Through surveys of dead birds near buildings in urban locations — downtown Indianapolis, in particular — Amos Butler Audubon Society uses this data in order to make negotiations with building owners to dim their lights. Not only has this led to a decrease in fatal bird collisions, but it has also offset the effects of light pollution in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

While Indiana is still a long way from seeing the stars, Whitney Yoerger, Indiana Audubon’s communications and outreach manager and former Bird Safe Indy volunteer, has high hopes, stating, “I feel fulfilled every day when I receive calls [and messages] about our work at Audubon and how thankful they are for the help we have done for the community.”

To learn more about Indiana Audubon, visit their website at https://indianaaudubon.org/. Get more information about Amos Butler Audubon Society’s Lights Out initiative in Indianapolis at https://www.amosbutleraudubon.org/conservation/lights-out-indy/.

My wish is for the stars to remain a common sight in our night sky, not to become something as rare and distant as the Egyptian Pyramids, requiring us to travel across the world just for a glimpse. The night sky, filled with its infinite wonders, has been a constant source of inspiration, guidance, and beauty throughout human history. It’s a shared heritage that connects us with past generations and should be accessible to all, not just those living in or traveling to remote areas. The thought of future generations looking up and seeing nothing but a dull glow fills me with a sense of loss for what they might never experience: the awe-inspiring beauty of a clear, starry night. By raising awareness and advocating for changes in local lighting ordinances, we can collectively work towards a future where our nights are once again filled with stars, benefiting our health, our ecosystems, and our connection to the universe.