The Lost Night

But today, the once vibrant tapestry of our night sky has dimmed, as it has been buried under a veil of electric smog emerging from blazing cities. Ancient cultures once looked to the stars for navigation, and inspiration, reflected in their myths and stories. Their stories, once vivid constellations, now flicker like distant stars, barely visible through the urban glow.

Many who live in and around cities will never have seen the Big Dipper. Many others will never witness a glimpse of the Milky Way. All due to light pollution, which creates a sky glow that can be seen from 100 miles away, and has recently been increasing in intensity and extent.

Light Pollution and why it matters?

Light Pollution refers to artificial light at night (ALAN.) This occurs when there is excessive, misdirected, or poorly designed artificial lighting at night. From parking lots to streetlamps to skyscrapers – the excessive lights directed up into the sky – are scattered into the atmosphere. Some of these light rays are reflected back, due to atmospheric molecules, forming what is known as 'skyglow' - a familiar sight over major metropolises and urban areas.

This phenomenon doesn’t just obscure the stars and celestial views; it also has disastrous impacts on wildlife, plants and human health. Light Pollution affects how plants grow and reproduce. It disrupts their seasonal rhythm, how they sense and react to natural light, and their fragile relationship with pollinators. Baby sea turtles are attracted to lights near nesting areas which can lead them away from the ocean. Birds travel over vast distances, guided by natural cues such as Earth’s magnetic field, stars and moonlight. They are driven – off course – by bright city lights, leading to collisions with buildings, and fatal outcomes. Excessive nighttime light exposure can reduce melatonin production, which is essential for our sleep. The National Institutes of Health refers to melatonin as ‘the hormone of darkness.’

The primary reason ALAN affects most living organisms is that they have circadian rhythm. This is the natural sleep-wake cycle that repeats every 24 hours and is regulated by the presence of light or darkness. Birds and plants rely on this rhythm of day and night signals for feeding, mating, migrating, and navigating. In our times, today, humans are altering their behavior by flooding the night with artificial light.

Hope in the dark. How to reduce Light pollution?

The advent of energy-efficient Light Emitting Diodes (LED) in the late 19th century revolutionized the way humanity used lights – extending the day into the night. This enabled widespread illumination of the globe, with a flick of a switch. As technology progressed, LEDs became more affordable, and urbanization led to an unprecedented surplus of light. While they were cost-effective and convenient, their benefits overshadowed economical, psychological and socio-economic impacts.

LEDs come with varying color temperatures, and those exceeding 2700 Kelvin emit high intensity blue wavelengths. The blue light emitted by LEDs has much higher intensity than what is typically experienced in natural light during sunset. They cause sleep dysfunction in humans and disrupt the behavior of migratory birds, and other species. While the use of LEDs itself isn't problematic, the concern lies particularly with the short-wavelength blue-white light they emit.

Energy efficiency standards have spurred the widespread adoption of LED lighting. However, there lacks governmental oversight on the brightness levels. Municipal planners and communities should adopt policies and recommendations for new buildings and renovations – mandating shielded outdoor lighting, and restricting LED lights color temperature to not exceed 2700 degrees Kelvin. Warm light typically falls within the 2000-3000 Kelvin range, with lower Kelvin values being preferable.

The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) have adopted five guiding principles to address outdoor light pollution. These principles offer a blueprint for communities worldwide to develop sustainable lighting strategies. They advocate for lights with a clear purpose, directed where they are needed, required minimum light levels, used only when they are useful, turned off when not in use, and limiting the amount of shorter wavelength (blue-violet) light to the least amount. These principles significantly contribute to the preservation of our night sky.

The IUCN publication includes a series of case studies from conservation efforts worldwide, along with a review of public policies. It provides a foundational set of best management practices and recommendations for public engagement.

Across the globe, various cultures have long held their own interpretations of celestial phenomena, crafting stories about planets and comets passed down through generations. These stories not only provided insights into timekeeping, weather forecasting, and navigation, but also became integral to cultural traditions. Unfortunately, as Light Pollution continues to obscure our view of the stars, we risk losing not only this ancient knowledge, but also the potential for inspiration and awe.

Preserving dark skies means reestablishing our connection to nature in its most primal form, fostering a deeper appreciation for the night sky. Crucially, it entails safeguarding the beauty of the night sky for future generations. In today's digital age, where everyone is emotionally and physically entangled with mobile screens, we need only look up for the biggest screen filled with stars and galaxies. A cosmic screen with infinite scrolls and endless reels.

About the author:

I am Prashant Naik. I specialize in environmental and technical writing in Information Technology. Being a photographer, I combine my penmanship with visuals to create a compelling story.

While photographs capture the essence of the scene, I use words to tell the untold stories. My photo art leans toward Mother Nature and the beauty of the night.

Over the years, my work has won several international awards and has been published on BBC Sky at Night, Earthsky, and other major publications.

My work is available on my website: www.naikonpixels.com and I regularly share new creations and stories on my facebook and instagram channel. Your support means the world to me!

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