Suffield has a rich history, picturesque and biodiverse landscapes and a beautiful town center. Rapid development and the use of more and brighter artificial light at night have given rise to the adverse environmental consequences of unnecessary artificial light at night – referred to as light pollution. Serious detrimental impacts on human health, wildlife, and the environment result from excessive night-time artificial illumination. As awareness grows of the harm from light pollution, many are looking for ways to enact effective light pollution control policies to create a more sustainable, safer night environment for residents, wildlife and the ecology in general.
Light pollution in the United States in 2024.
Understanding the Adverse Consequences of Light Pollution
As a first principle, outdoor lighting is useful only “where” and “when” needed, and at the minimum level necessary. Light pollution refers to “excessive, misdirected, or poorly designed artificial lighting” that disrupts natural darkness and obscures celestial views. It adversely affects human sleep patterns and circadian rhythms, damages ecosystems, disorients species like insects, bats, and migratory birds, and wastes energy. Suffield zoning regulations include requirements for shielding outdoor lighting.
Technologies that address light pollution include motion sensors, timers, fully shielded lighting fixtures, and warm-tinted LEDs (rated at 3000K or lower). In some cases, using these technologies will not only reduce light pollution, but may also reduce expenses by using less energy.
Prior to Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is relatively new. Between light at night from light bulbs, television and today’s screen technology (phones, laptops and desktops), our dark nights have gradually given way to brighter nights. As a result, our physiology has been changing, with light at night reducing hormone production levels related to sleep, such as melatonin.
Outdoor Lighting and Its Carbon Footprint
Light pollution contributes to climate change and increases our carbon footprint. In the United States, residential outdoor lighting alone emits about 15 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which is equivalent to the emissions of 3 million cars. This waste of energy also costs the country around $3 billion annually. LED technology has made lighting less expensive to use and maintain, resulting in major increases in the amount of outdoor lighting.
Three Categories of Light Pollution
Light pollution has three categories: Light Trespass, Glare and Sky Glow.
Excessive levels of outdoor lighting result in adverse consequences for plant, animal and even human health. Light trespass occurs when light intended for a purpose, such as lighting a pathway, carries past the property line and onto neighboring properties.
Glare diminishes our ability to see, as when a flashlight shines in your eyes.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 99% of outdoor lighting is wasted energy.
Consequences of Light Pollution for Birds and Wildlife
Light pollution disturbs animal habitats and can disrupt foraging patterns, often increasing exposure to predators. Birds use starlight for migration and become confused by artificial light at night. Birds often strike at windows when the light shines through a window. These bird deaths result from birds colliding with windows. An estimated 1 billion bird deaths occur each year from window collisions.
Lightening bugs (fireflies), bumble bees and all types of insects are suffering a large loss in population because of light pollution.
Next month: The Solutions to Reducing Light Pollution