A DISSERTATION ON

LIGHT POLLUTION AN ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY

PREPARED BY GUIDED BY

NAME: Sonali Priyadarshini Samal Ms. Rashmita Mishra

Lecture in Geography
Roll No.2101010730220041

Satyam SivamSundaramMahavidyalaya, Gauadakateni,

Dhenkanal
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER TOPIC PAGE

Chapter-1 Introduction 4-7

 Types of Light pollution

 Light Trespass
 Over Illumination
 Glare
 Light Clutter
 From Satellites
Chapter-2 Adverse effects of light pollution 8-14
 Wildlife Implications
 Ecosystem Disruptions in General
 Public health impact
 Ecological impact
 Effect on astronomy
 Increase in atmospheric pollution
 Economic Impact

Chapter-3 15-18
Solutions to light pollution

 Every day needs a night

 Use of lights
 Avoid Driving at Night

Chapter-4 Values- Centred Outdoor Lighting 19-20

Chapter-5 Light pollution on the rise in India 21-28

 Recognising light in excess as a pollutant
 Lighting the skies rather than just streets
Chapter-6 Lighting Principles 29-31

 Benefits of sustainable outdoor lighting

 Sustainable outdoor lighting principles
Chapter-7 Conclusion 32
 Issues to measuring light pollution
 Satellite imagery measuring
 Bortle scale

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SYNOPSIS

Energy conservation advocates contend that light pollution must be addressed by changing

the habits of society, so that lighting is used more efficiently, with less waste and less creation of

unwanted or unneeded illumination. Several industry groups also recognize light pollution as an

important issue. For example, the Institution of Lighting Engineers in the United Kingdom provides

its members with information about light pollution, the problems it causes, and how to reduce its

impact. Although, recent research point that the energy efficiency is not enough to reduce the light

pollution because of the rebound effect.

Since people may disagree over whether any particular lighting source is irritating or how important

its effects on non-human life are, it is common for one person to consider as light pollution something

that another finds desirable. One example is found in advertising, when an advertiser wishes for

particular lights to be bright and visible while others find them annoying. Other types of light

pollution are less disputed. For instance, light that accidentally crosses a property boundary and

annoys a neighbour is generally considered wasted and pollutive. For this reason and others, decisions

about how to manage artificial light are often marked by disputes. Differences of opinion over what

light is reasonable and who should have authority and responsibility sometimes make it necessary for

parties to negotiate. Where it is desired that such decisions be supported by objective data, light levels

can be quantified by field measurement or mathematical modelling, the results of which are typically

rendered in isophote maps or light contour maps. To deal with light pollution, authorities have taken a

variety of measures depending on the interests, beliefs, and understandings of the society involved

citation needed These measures range from doing nothing at all to implementing strict laws and

regulations specifying how lights may be installed and used.

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 CHAPTER-1: INTRODUCTION

LIGHT POLLUTION

Light pollution, or artificial light at night, is the excessive or poor use of artificial outdoor light, and it
disrupts the natural patterns of wildlife, contributes to the increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the
atmosphere, disrupts human sleep, and obscures the stars in the night sky.

The dark night sky and starry sky has evoked countless myths, art, literature and music from cultures
around the world. It is a timeless and boundless resource. People were much more connected to the
rhythms and wonders of the night sky before the widespread use of electric lighting. The sky marked
the changing of seasons and passage of time. It represented order, yet was mutable. Throughout
history the night sky has shaped the beliefs and traditions of societies, from the the myths of ancient
Greece and the celestially-aligned architecture of ancestral Puebloan civilizations to agricultural
harvest festivals and nautical navigation records of sea voyages to new and distant lands.
Experiencing the night as it was in older times helps us imagine Teddy Roosevelt sitting on his porch
in his later years, Aldo Leopold hiking under full moon light, Carl Sandburg crafting poetic words
amidst natural beauty, or hardscrabble homesteaders finding respite in the prairie sky after a long
day's work. The tradition of cultural astronomy continues today. When we point out the North Star to
our grandchildren or take a scout troop out to sleep beneath the stars, we are keeping alive this natural
affinity humans have for looking beyond our planet. This is the way of people need a little darkness
and a starry sky to gaze upon.

TYPES OF LIGHT POLLUTION

Light pollution is caused by inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. Specific categories of
light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and sky glow. A single
offending light source often falls into more than one of these categories.
Light trespass
Light trespass occurs when unwanted light enters one's property, for instance, by shining over a
neighbour's fence. A common light trespass problem occurs when a strong light enters the window of
one's home from the outside, causing problems such as sleep deprivation. A number of cities in the
U.S. have developed standards for outdoor lighting to protect the rights of their citizens against light
trespass. To assist them, the International Dark-Sky Association has developed a set of model lighting
ordinances.
The Dark-Sky Association was started to reduce the light going up into the sky which reduces the
visibility of stars . This is any light that is emitted more than 90° above nadir. By limiting light at this

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90° mark they have also reduced the light output in the 80–90° range which creates most of the light
trespass issues.
U.S. federal agencies may also enforce standards and process complaints within their areas of
jurisdiction. For instance, in the case of light trespass by white strobe lighting from communication
towers in excess of FAA minimum lighting requirements the Federal Communications
Commission maintains an Antenna Structure Registration database information which citizens may
use to identify offending structures and provides a mechanism for processing citizen inquiries and
complaints. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has also incorporated a credit for reducing
the amount of light trespass and sky glow into their environmentally friendly building standard known
as LEED.
Light trespass can be reduced by selecting light fixtures that limit the amount of light emitted more
than 80° above the nadir. The IESNA definitions include full cut-off (0%), cut-off (10%), and semi-
cut-off (20%). These definitions also include limits on light emitted above 90° to reduce sky glow.
Over-illumination
Over-illumination is the excessive use of light.In the USA commercial building lighting consumes in
excess of 81.68 terawatt-hours as per 1999 dataof electricity per year, according to the DOE. Even
among developed countries there are large differences in patterns of light use. American cities emit
three to five times more light to space per capita compared to German cities.

Over-illumination stems from several factors:

1. Consensus-based standards or norms that are not based on vision science;

2. Improper design, by specifying higher levels of light than needed for a given visual task;

3. Incorrect choice of fixtures or light bulbs, which do not direct light into areas as needed;

4. Improper selection of hardware to utilize more energy than needed to accomplish the lighting
task;

5. Incomplete training of building managers and occupants to use lighting systems efficiently;

6. Inadequate lighting maintenance resulting in increased stray light and energy costs;
7. "Daylight lighting" demanded by citizens to reduce crime or by shop owners to attract customers;

8. Substitution of old lamps with more efficient LEDs using the same electrical power; and

9. Indirect lighting techniques, such as illuminating a vertical wall to bounce light onto the ground.

10. Institutions who illuminate their buildings not to improve navigation, but "to show that its empire
is inescapable".

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Most of these issues can be readily corrected with available, inexpensive technology, and with the
resolution of landlord/tenant practices that create barriers to rapid correction of these matters. Most
importantly, public awareness would need to improve for industrialized countries to realize the large
payoff in reducing over-illumination.

In certain cases, an over-illumination lighting technique may be needed. For example, indirect
lighting is often used to obtain a "softer" look, since hard direct lighting is generally found less
desirable for certain surfaces, such as skin. The indirect lighting method is perceived as cosier and
suits bars, restaurants, and living quarters. It is also possible to block the direct lighting effect by
adding softening filters or other solutions, though intensity will be reduced.

Glare
Glare can be categorized into different types. One such classification is described in a book by Bob
Mizon, coordinator for the British Astronomical Association's Campaign for Dark Skies, as follows:

1. 1.Blinding glare describes effects such as that caused by staring into the Sun. It is
completely blinding and leaves temporary or permanent vision deficiencies.

2. 2.Disability glare describes effects such as being blinded by oncoming car lights, or light
scattering in fog or in the eye, reducing contrast, as well as reflections from print and other
dark areas that render them bright, with a significant reduction in sight capabilities.
3. 3.Discomfort glare does not typically cause a dangerous situation in itself, though it is
annoying and irritating at best. It can potentially cause fatigue if experienced over extended
periods.
According to Mario Motta, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, "... glare from bad
lighting is a public-health hazard—especially the older you become. Glare light scattering in the eye
causes loss of contrast and leads to unsafe driving conditions, much like the glare on a dirty
windshield from low-angle sunlight or the high beams from an oncoming car." In essence bright
and/or badly shielded lights around roads can partially blind drivers or pedestrians and contribute to
accidents.
The blinding effect is caused in large part by reduced contrast due to light scattering in the eye by
excessive brightness, or to the reflection of light from dark areas in the field of vision, with luminance
similar to the background luminance. This kind of glare is a particular instance of disability glare,
called veiling glare. This is not the same as loss of accommodation of night vision which is caused by
the direct effect of the light itself on the eye.

Light clutter

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Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights. Groupings of lights may generate confusion,
distract from obstacles ,including those that they may be intended to illuminate and potentially cause
accidents. Clutter is particularly noticeable on roads where the street lights are badly designed, or
where brightly lit advertisements surround the roadways. Depending on the motives of the person or
organization that installed the lights, their placement and design can even be intended to distract
drivers, and can contribute to accidents.

From satellites
Another source of light pollution are artificial satellites. With future increase in numbers of satellite
constellations such as One Web and Star link, it is feared especially by the astronomical community,
such as the IAU that light pollution will increase significantly, beside other problems of satellite
overcrowding.
Public discourse surrounding the anticipated growth of satellite constellation, like One Web and Star
link, includes multiple petitions by astronomers and citizen scientists,and has raised questions about
which regulatory bodies hold jurisdiction over human actions that obscure starlight.

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 CHAPTER-2: ADVERSE EFFECTS OF LIGHT POLLUTION

Wildlife Implications

Many wildlife animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles and insects are naturally photoperiodic. Many
characteristics of these animals’ behaviour and physiology depend on the circadian rhythms, that is,
the day and night influences.
On this regard, growth, development, reproduction, eating and locomotion all depend on the balance
between day and night. Hence, any amounts of artificial lights introduced in their respective
environments can seriously alter their natural cycles and operations.
For instance, hundreds of wildlife such as deer and zebras are killed on the roads in the evenings since
the glares blind and distort their night locomotive aspects. Sea turtles have also been found to be
highly reliant on natural lighting for reproduction, movement, eating, and development which can be
heavily impacted by artificial lighting.

Ecosystem Disruptions in General

Light pollution is the presence of anthropogenic artificial light in otherwise dark conditions.The term
is most commonly used in relation to in the outdoor environment and surrounding, but is also used to
refer to artificial light indoors. Adverse consequences are multiple; some of them may not be known
yet. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky for urban residents, interferes
with astronomical observatories and, like any other form of pollution, disrupts ecosystems and has
adverse health effects.
Light pollution is a side-effect of industrial civilization. Its sources include building exterior and
interior lighting, advertising, outdoor area lighting such as car parks, offices, factories, streetlights,
and illuminated sporting venues. It is most severe in highly industrialized, densely populated areas of
North America, Europe, and Asia and in major cities in the Middle East and North Africa
like Tehran and Cairo, but even relatively small amounts of light can be noticed and create problems.
Awareness of the deleterious effects of light pollution began in the second half of the 19th
century, but efforts to address its effects did not begin until the 1950s. In the 1980s a global dark-
skymovement emerged with the founding oftheInternationalDark-Sky Association (IDA). There are
now such educational and advocacy organizations in many countries worldwide.

About 83% of people, including 99% of Europeans and Americans, live under light-polluted skies that
are more than 10% brighter than natural darkness. 80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky
Way galaxy

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Public health impact

Medical research on the effects of excessive light on the human body suggests that a variety of
adverse health effects may be caused by light pollution or excessive light exposure, and some lighting
design textbooks use human health as an explicit criterion for proper interior lighting. Health effects
of over-illumination or improper spectral composition of light may include: increased headache
incidence, workerfatigue,medicallydefined stress, decrease in sexual function and increase in
anxiety.Likewise, animal models have been studied demonstrating unavoidable light to produce
adverse effect on mood and anxiety.For those who need to be awake at night, light at night also has an
acute effect on alertness and mood.
Outdoor artificial light at night exposure to contemporary types such as current types of street lighting
has been linked to risks for obesity,mental disorders,diabetes, and potentially other health issues by
preliminary studies.
In 2007, "shift work that involves circadian disruption" was listed as a probable carcinogen by the
World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC Press release No.
180). Multiple studies have documented a correlation between night shift work and the increased
incidence of breast and prostate cancer. One study which examined the link between exposure to
artificial light at night (ALAN) and levels of breast cancer in South Korea found that regions which
had the highest levels of ALAN reported the highest number of cases of breast cancer. Seoul, which
had the highest levels of light pollution, had 34.4% more cases of breast cancer than Ganwon-do,
which had the lowest levels of light pollution. This suggested a high correlation between ALAN and
the prevalence of breast cancer. It was also found that there was no correlation between other types of
cancer such as cervical or lung cancer and ALAN levels.
A more recent discussion in 2009, written by Professor Steven Lockley, Harvard Medical School, can
be found in the CfDS handbook "Blinded by the Light?". "Human health implications of light
pollution" states that "... light intrusion, even if dim, is likely to have measurable effects on sleep
disruption and melatonin suppression. Even if these effects are relatively small from night to night,
continuous chronic circadian, sleep and hormonal disruption may have longer-term health risks". The
New York Academy of Sciences hosted a meeting in 2009 on Circadian Disruption and Cancer.Red
light suppresses melatonin the least.
In June 2009, the American Medical Association developed a policy in support of control of light
pollution. News about the decision emphasized glare as a public health hazard leading to unsafe
driving conditions. Especially in the elderly, glare produces loss of contrast, obscuring night vision.
A new 2021 study published in the Southern Economic Journal indicates that light pollution may
increase by 13% in preterm births before 23 weeks of gestation.

Ecological impact

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While light at night can be beneficial, neutral, or damaging for individual species, its presence
invariably disturbs ecosystems. For example, some species of spiders avoid lit areas, while other
species are happy to build their webs directly on lamp posts. Since lamp posts attract many flying
insects, the spiders that tolerate the light gain an advantage over the spiders that avoid it. This is a
simple example of the way in which species frequencies and food webs can be disturbed by the
introduction of light at night.
Light pollution poses a serious threat in particular to nocturnal wildlife, having negative impacts on
plant and animal physiology.It can confuse animal navigation, alter competitive interactions, change
predator-prey relations, and cause physiological harm.The rhythm of life is orchestrated by the natural
diurnal patterns of light and dark, so disruption to these patterns impacts the ecological
dynamics.Many species of marine plankton, such as Calanus copepods, can detect light levels as low
as 0.1 μWm−2 using this as a threshold a global atlas of marine Artificial Light at Night has been
generated,showing its global widespread nature.
Studies suggest that light pollution around lakes prevents zooplankton, such as Daphnia, from eating
surface algae, causing algal blooms that can kill off the lakes' plants and lower water quality. Light
pollution may also affect ecosystems in other ways. For example, entomologists have documented
that night-time light may interfere with the ability of moths and other nocturnal insects to navigate. It
can also negative impact on insect development and reproduction. Night-blooming flowers that
depend on moths for pollination may be affected by night lighting, as there is no
replacement pollinator that would not be affected by the artificial light. This can lead to species
decline of plants that are unable to reproduce, and change an area's long-term ecology. Among
nocturnal insects, fireflies are especially interesting study objects for light pollution, once they depend
on their own light to reproduce and, consequently, are very sensitive to environmental levels of
light.Fireflies are well known and interesting to the general public and are easily spotted by non-
experts, and, due to their sensibility and rapid response to environmental changes, good bio
indicators for artificial night lighting. Significant declines in some insect populations have been
suggested as being at least partially mediated by artificial lights at night.
A 2009 study also suggests deleterious impacts on animals and ecosystems because of perturbation of
polarized light or artificial polarization of light even during the day, because direction of natural
polarization of sun light and its reflection is a source of information for a lot of animals. This form of
pollution is named polarized light pollution (PLP). Unnatural polarized light sources can trigger
maladaptive behaviours in polarization-sensitive taxa and alter ecological interactions.
Lights on tall structures can disorient migrating birds. Estimates by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
of the number of birds killed after being attracted to tall towers range from four to five million per
year to an order of magnitude higher.The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) works with
building owners in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and other cities to reduce mortality of birds by turning
out lights during migration periods. Another study has found that the lights produced by the Post

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Tower has affected 25 bird species. As a result, they discovered that decreasing the use of excessive
lights increased the survival rate of bird species.
Similar disorientation has also been noted for bird species migrating close to offshore production and
drilling facilities. Studies carried out by Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij b.v. (NAM) and Shell
have led to the development and trial of new lighting technologies in the North Sea. In early 2007, the
lights were installed on the Shell production platform L15. The experiment proved a great success
since the number of birds circling the platform declined by 50 to 90%.
Birds migrate at night for several reasons. Save water from dehydration in hot day flying and part of
the bird's navigation system works with stars in some way. With city light outshining the night sky,
birds and also about mammals no longer navigate by stars.
Sea turtle hatchlings emerging from nests on beaches are another casualty of light pollution. It is a
common misconception that hatchling sea turtles are attracted to the moon. Rather, they find the
ocean by moving away from the dark silhouette of dunes and their vegetation, a behaviour with which
artificial lights interfere. The breeding activity and reproductive phenology of toads, however, are
cued by moonlight. Juvenile seabirds may also be disoriented by lights as they leave their nests and
fly out to sea. Amphibians and reptiles are also affected by light pollution. Introduced light sources
during normally dark periods can disrupt levels of melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that
regulates photoperiodic physiology and behaviour. Some species of frogs and salamanders utilize a
light-dependent "compass" to orient their migratory behaviour to breeding sites. Introduced light can
also cause developmental irregularities, such as retinal damage, reduced juvenile growth, premature
metamorphosis, reduced sperm production, and genetic mutation. Close to global coastal megacities
e.g. Tokyo, Shanghai, the natural illumination cycles provided by the moon in the marine
environment are considerably disrupted by light pollution, with only nights around the full moon
providing greater radiances, and over a given month lunar dosages may be a factor of 6 less than light
pollution dosages.
In September 2009, the 9th European Dark-Sky Symposium in Armagh, Northern Ireland had a
session on the environmental effects of light at night (LAN). It dealt with bats, turtles, the "hidden"
harms of LAN, and many other topics.The environmental effects of LAN were mentioned as early as
1897, in a Los Angeles Times article.

Effect on astronomy

Astronomy is very sensitive to light pollution. The night sky viewed from a city bears no resemblance
to what can be seen from dark skies. Sky glow the scattering of light in the atmosphere at night
reduces the contrast between stars and galaxies and the sky itself, making it much harder to see

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fainter objects. This is one factor that has caused newer telescopes to be built in increasingly remote
areas.
Even at apparent clear night skies, there can be a lot of stray light that becomes visible at
longer exposure times in astrophotography. By means of software, the stray light can be reduced, but
at the same time, object detail will be lost in the image. The following picture of the area around
the Pinwheel Galaxy with the apparent magnitude of 7.5m with all stars down to an apparent
magnitude of 10m was taken in Berlin in a direction close to the zenith with a fast lens , f-number
1.2and an exposure time of five seconds at an exposure index of ISO 12800:
Some astronomers use narrow-band "nebula filters", which allow only specific wavelengths of light
commonly seen in nebulae, or broad-band "light pollution filters", which are designed to reduce but
not eliminate the effects of light pollution by filtering out spectral lines commonly emitted by sodium-
and mercury-vapour lamps, thus enhancing contrast and improving the view of dim objects such as
galaxies and nebulae.Unfortunately, these light pollution reduction (LPR) filters are not a cure for
light pollution. LPR filters reduce the brightness of the object under study and this limits the use of
higher magnifications. LPR filters work by blocking light of certain wavelengths, which alters the
colour of the object, often creating a pronounced green cast. Furthermore, LPR filters work only on
certain object types mainly emission nebulae and are of little use on galaxies and stars. No filter can
match the effectiveness of a dark sky for visual or photographic purposes.

Light pollution affects the visibility of diffuse sky objects like nebulae and galaxies more than stars,
due to their low surface brightness. Most such objects are rendered invisible in heavily light-polluted
skies above major cities. A simple method for estimating the darkness of a location is to look for
the Milky Way, which from truly dark skies appears bright enough to cast a shadow.
In addition to sky glow, light trespass can impact observations when artificial light directly enters the
tube of the telescope and is reflected from non-optical surfaces until it eventually reaches
the eyepiece. This direct form of light pollution causes a glow across the field of view, which reduces
contrast. Light trespass also makes it hard for a visual observer to become sufficiently adapted to the
dark. The usual measures to reduce this glare, if reducing the light directly is not an option,
include flocking the telescope tube and accessories to reduce reflection, and putting a light shield also
usable as a dew shield on the telescope to reduce light entering from angles other than those near the
target. Under these conditions, some astronomers prefer to observe under a black cloth to ensure
maximum adaptation to the dark.
Increase in atmospheric pollution
A study presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Franciscofound that light
pollution destroys nitrate radicals thus preventing the normal night time reduction of atmospheric
smog produced by fumes emitted from cars and factories.The study was presented by Harald Stark
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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Reduction of natural sky polarization

In the night, the polarization of the moonlit sky is very strongly reduced in the presence of urban light
pollution, because scattered urban light is not strongly polarized.Polarized moonlight cannot be seen
by humans, but is believed to be used by many animals for navigation.

Economic Impact

Research surrounding light pollution focuses on the quality of lighting and reducing our ability to
clearly view the sky at night. However, light pollution has many root causes and effects across the
spectrum of life. Since the time of the Industrial Revolution grew out of England and spread across
the globe, major changes have been made in the way we live. Technological innovation is moving at a
rapid pace. It is not uncommon to find 24-hour business, such as gas stations, convenience stores, and
pharmacies. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities must be staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per
week. With the rise of Amazon, many factories and shipping companies now operate 24x7 shifts to
keep up with the demand of the new global consumer. These industries all require light, both inside
and outside their facilities to ensure the safety of their workers as they move about their jobs and
when the enter and depart the facilities. As a result, "40% of the United States and almost 20% of the
European Union population has lost the ability to view the night sky,in other words, it is as if they
never really experience night-time."

With a focus on shift work and the continued need for 24-hour operations of specific sectors of the
economy, researchers are looking at the impact of light pollution on this group of workers. In 2007 the
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) sought to bring notice to the risk from shift
work as a probable risk for developing cancers. This move was the result of numerous studies that
found increased risks of cancers in groups of shift workers. The 1998 Nurses Health Study found a
link between breast cancer and nurses who had worked more than 30 years on rotating night shifts.
However, it is not possible to halt shift work in these industries. Hospitals must be staffed around the
clock.

Research suggests that, like other environmental issues, light pollution is primarily a problem caused
by industrialized nations. Research by Galloway, et al. (2010) examined numerous economic
indicators to get a better sense of where light pollution was occurring around the globe. Galloway's
research found that countries with paved roads, a factor in a developed infrastructure, often had
increased light pollution (2010). Similarly, countries with a high rate of resource extraction also have
high rates of light pollution . Finally, Galloway found that countries with the highest GDP and high
surface area described as urban and suburban also had the highest rates of light pollution.

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China is an emerging leader in industrial and economic growth. A recent study of light pollution using
the Defence Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Lines can System (DMSL/OLS) found that
light pollution is increasing over the eastern coastal cities but decreasing over the industrial and
mineral extraction cities. Specifically, urban areas around the Yangtze River delta, Pearl River delta,
and Beijing-Tianjin area are specific light pollution areas of concern. Examining China as a whole,
Jiang found that light pollution in the East and North was much higher than the West. This is
consistent with major industrial factories located in the East and North while resource extraction
dominates the West.

In 2010, following the United Nations declaration of The Year of Astronomyresearchers urged a
better understanding of artificial light and the role it plays in social, economic, and environmental
issues. The researchers argues that the continued unfettered use of artificial light in urban and rural
areas would cause a global shift with unpredictable outcomes. Holker argued that focusing on the
economic impact of increased energy consumption in light bulbs, or the move to energy efficiency of
lighting, was not enough. Rather, the broader focus should be on the socio-economic, ecologic, and
physiologic impacts of light pollution. In essence, getting your package from Amazon in less than 48
hours is not a viable reason for increased light pollution.

Humans require some artificial night light for shift work, manufacturing, street safety, and night-time
driving and research has shown that artificial light disrupts the lives of animals. However, a recent
article suggests that we may be able to find a happy medium. A 2021 article examined seasonal light
changes and its effect on all animals, but specifically molluscs. The authors noted that light research
primarily focuses on length of exposure to light. Based on their research they suggest that further
research should examine the lowest quantifying the least amount of light, in terms of duration and
intensity, that would allow both humans and animals to continue safely. To collect as much data as
possible, scientists are recruiting the public to act as citizen scientists from various locations around
the globe and enter their findings in apps and websites. By collecting and uploading sky images, star
counts, agricultural data, and bird and butterfly statistics, scientists gain access to volumes of data
reflecting how light pollution is affecting the world around us. Hopefully scientists can predict and
recommend responses to problems before changes become permanent.

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 CHAPTER-3: SOLUTIONS TO LIGHT POLLUTION

Light pollution is harming our environment, wildlife habitats, and our quality of life.

Every day needs a night

All around us, this unintended pollutant is taking a silent toll. Each year, thousands of migrating birds
and shorebirds are killed because of unnecessary artificial light at night. Light pollution threatens
aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. It also impacts our quality of life
by eradicating our access to the wonder of beautiful night skies.

Help us save the night

The solution is as easy as screwing in a lightbulb .Light pollution is something can help to erase ,in
homes and backyards, the park to play in and the cities and towns called home.

LEDs and Compact fluorescents (CFLs) can help reduce energy use and protect the environment, but
only warm-coloured bulbs should be used.

Dimmers, motion sensors, and timers can help to reduce average illumination levels and save even
more energy.

Outdoor lighting fixtures that shield the light source to minimize glare and light trespass help prevent
light pollution. An illustrated guide to acceptable vs. unacceptable types of light fixtures can be
found .

Switching to LED lighting allows for reduced illuminance without compromising visibility.

Unnecessary indoor lighting — particularly in empty office buildings at night — should be turned off.
This will help prevent leakage of interior light into the night sky.

The use of blue lights at night should be avoided:

Outdoor lighting with strong blue content is likely to worsen sky glow because it has a significantly
larger geographic reach than lighting consisting of less blue.

Blue-rich white light sources are also known to increase glare and compromise human vision,
especially in the aging eye. These lights create potential road safety problems for motorists and
pedestrians alike. In natural settings, blue light at night has been shown to adversely affect wildlife
behaviour and reproduction. This particularly true in cities, which are often stopover points for
migratory species.

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Dark Sky recommends that only warm-appearing light sources be used for outdoor lighting. This
includes low-pressure sodium (LPS), high-pressure sodium (HPS), and low-CCT LEDs.

“Warm” toned or filtered LEDs (CCT 3000 K or lower; S/P ratio 1.2 or lower) should be used to
minimize blue emission.

Our Dark Sky Approved programme certifies environmentally friendly lighting products. Its
searchable database makes it easy for you to find Dark Sky Approved light fixtures — fixtures that
are fully shielded and have a low CCT — as well as other Dark Sky Approved devices like timers
and other controllers.

Take a few moments to inspect your property for inefficient, poorly installed, and unnecessary
outdoor lighting.

People who visit Durango on a regular basis or are long-time locals absolutely love Durango's night
sky. On most clear nights, we are blessed with the incredible twinkling celestial bodies and the ever-
reaching arm of the Milky Way above. As the Durango cityscape builds up around and more visitors
frequent our community, our lovely night sky can start to feel the effects of this. Bright hotel room
lights, car lights, and home lights all have an effect on the aesthetic beauty of Durango's night sky.
While reducing light pollution might seem a daunting task, and best left to the local power companies,
there are actional things you can do right now to help reduce local light pollution.

Use of Lights

Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

Many of us are already pre-conditioned to do this when our parents gave us a light scolding growing
up when leaving the room without turning off the lights. But if you have slowly grown out of the
habit, now’s a great time to restart it. Not only does turning off lights help contribute to lessening
overall light pollution, it reduces your energy costs at home.

Use Fewer Lights When Inside

Building on the above, it’s just good practice to only use light that you absolutely need. If you
appreciate low, ambient lighting, you’re already off to a great start. Having dimmers installed in every
room also allows for using less light overall.

Keep the Blinds and Drapes Closed at Night

After the sun sets, try to get in the habit of using window shades to keep room lights from escaping
your house or hotel room, as it contributes to the light pollution outdoors. This also allows for your
own privacy, especially in close quarters such as in hotel or apartment buildings.

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Avoid Driving at Night

For many folks, driving at night is like driving in an entirely different world, and some of us have a
lack of depth perception, to boot. So unless it’s necessary, avoid driving at night; not only is it safer,
using headlights contributes to the degradation of our gorgeous night skies.

Turn Off All Lights When Going to Sleep

This goes without saying, but when you’re asleep you don’t need lights! Small night lights to
illuminate your way during that midnight bathroom brake are okay, as well as motion sensor lights for
safety.

When Going Outside, Point Your Lights Towards the Ground

When using flashlights or headlights outside to illuminate your way, always try to point them down to
the ground. Believe it or not, pointing that tiny ray of light upwards does contribute to light pollution!
This is also good practice if you do any night hiking, whether in the city or in rural areas.

Use Night Shift Settings on All Devices

Nowadays, with all of our devices such as home computers, laptops, IPads, phones, etc. it has the
potential to contribute just as much (or more) to light pollution than regular room lights. Especially
when everyone in the family is using them. After dark, the bright lights of our screens are not needed,
so switch to a dimmer night setting. It’s also good for our eyes.

Let Your Eyes Adjust to Less Light Instead of Turning on Lights

Sometimes we are used to absentmindedly turning on the lights full blast after the sun sets. But it’s
kind of amazing to know that our eyes can adjust rather nicely to no-light or low-light settings if we
just give it a few minutes. Don’t believe us? Try it!

Unplug from Devices as the Sun Sets

Going a step further from point number seven, reducing the use of our devices in the evening is
always a great habit to form. We’ve all heard of the potential dangers of too much screen time. After
dinner, make it a rule to unplug completely. After a few days, you’ll find that it’s pretty easy.

Use Only Downward Facing Lights Inside When You Can

When light points upward it contributes directly to the artificial sky glow – that glow you see over
urban areas from a cumulative array of lights. This sky glow spills over into neighbouring areas and
can also disrupt wildlife. Install light shields for any outdoor lighting set-ups to help direct the light
downward to a specific area.

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Conclusion

Natural darkness should be the default at night – artificial light should be used only for a specific
purpose. Remembering that indoor lighting also contributes to light pollution outside, and keeping the
above points in mind ensures a cleaner and more beautiful night sky in Durango for all to enjoy.

Responsible Outdoor Lighting

Too often, outdoor electric lighting installations at night are over lit, are left on when not needed, and
are harmful to the environment. As a result, light pollution is a growing global issue that can
negatively affect our environment as well as our quality of life. By joining forces, our shared goal is
to prevent and reduce light pollution through the proper application of quality outdoor electric lighting

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 CHAPTER-4: VALUES- CENTRED OUTDOOR LIGHTING

This approach to lighting design, installation and operation interprets and expands on the Five
Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting to give users maximum flexibility in how they apply
lighting in outdoor contexts to best meet their needs while reducing light pollution.

Outdoor Lighting Basic

Everything you wanted to know about the basic of outdoor lighting, including the different types of
light and correlated colour temperature (CCT).

Find Dark Sky Approved Lighting

Dark Sky maintains a searchable database of lighting products certified to minimize glare, reduce
light trespass, and help protect the night sky. Search our database or look for the Dark Sky Approved
logo on outdoor lighting at your local retailer.

Lighting Ordinances

Find out whether the town has an outdoor lighting law to get it enforced. Learn to advocate for it .

Lighting for Policy Makers

Outdoor lighting laws are important for protecting the night sky and wildlife, enhancing safety, and
saving money. Municipality needs to consider when implementing an outdoor lighting plan.

Model Lighting Law and Policy

To help municipalities create environmentally friendly outdoor lighting plans, Dark Sky has created
useful model lighting laws and guidelines.

Assess Own Home's Lighting

One of the first things can do to help reduce light pollution and light trespass is inspecting the outdoor
lighting at home to make sure it’s being used responsibly.

My Neighbour’s Lighting

Talk to your neighbour to resolve this problem.

Bad Street Light

Problem with outdoor municipal streetlights lighting up individual’s propertyhence to get the lights
shielded , public officialsshould work for to control the light pollution.

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Dark Sky Guidance for Electronic Messaging Centers ( EMCs )

When installed and operated in accordance with Dark Sky’s Guidance for Electronic Messaging
Centers, EMCs that replace traditional billboards can actually create a net reduction in sky brightness.

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 CHAPTER-5: LIGHT POLLUTION ON THE RISE IN INDIA
A study published in January 2019 shows that the brightness from outdoor lights is on a steady rise in
various parts of India over a 20 year period.

New Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, which were already experiencing
high levels of outdoor brightness, showed a further increase from 1993 to 2013. West Bengal, Gujarat
and Tamil Nadu transitioned from low to high light pollution areas.

Light pollution can come in forms such as glare, light trespass and sky glow in addition to over-
illumination and clutter.

In the ongoing Amsterdam Light Festival, illuminating the city’s waterway, a Serbian artist
duo’s installation of an LED version of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic painting ‘The Starry Night’ has
drawn attention to the growing menace of light pollution in urban areas.7000 kilometres away, in
India’s commercial capital Mumbai, Nilesh Desai is steadily working on a public interest litigation on
light pollution-disturbance due to excessive, inappropriate and misdirected artificial lights.For the last
couple of years, Desai, who holds a day job in the information technology sector, has been fighting
against the excessive and obtrusive glare of floodlights in his neighbourhood. He has fired off over 20
complaints with state and civic authorities on the nuisance of light pollution along Mumbai’s Marine
Drive, a scenic curved beachfront promenade.

He likens his ordeal to a “curfew-like situation”.

“We live in curfew like situation when floodlights are on. I ask my kids not to look outside windows
as it may harm their eyes. We have put up thick curtains in our houses to block out the glare from
floodlights installed by the Wilson College Gymkhana, [a club. My neighbours have to use blinds to
block the light so they can watch television in the evening,”Desai told Mongabay-India.

Brightness from outdoor lights is on a steady rise in various

parts of India over a 20 year period. Photo by
Nilesh Desai.

The concerned father added that

according to the Marine Drive Police
station, floodlights can cause accidents
at the beachfront and is a nuisance to
citizens who visit the promenade.

“Wedding events use temporary

floodlight set-up, which is usually on till

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2 am to 3 am causing massive light pollution. This is not just a nuisance but a violation of right to
life.”

Desai’s complaints prompted the Mumbai civic authorities to act and ask the gymkhana to take down
the lights.

“But the catch is there are no laws to fight light pollution so the civic body has asked the state
government and pollution control board to draft norms for light pollution in the city,” Desai
explained, promising to generate more awareness on the emerging issue in India.

Light pollution can come in forms such as glare, light trespass and sky glow in addition to over-
illumination and clutter. The damaging effects of light pollution on human and ecosystem health are
being increasingly acknowledged worldwide.

With our sleep-wake rhythm synced to the day-night cycle, excessive artificial illumination can
disrupt health contributing to poor sleep, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers and mood disorders.
Artificial light at night puts a spanner in the works for nocturnal animals, interfering with
reproduction and impacting populations. For young turtles and birds, disorientation can be fatal.

“People are already experiencing the effects of light pollution in various forms but we do not
recognise it as pollution in India yet,” Desai lamented.

Recognising light in excess as a pollutant

His observations are not in isolation. A study published in Urban Climate journal in January 2019 has
shared Desai’s concern that the brightness from outdoor lights is on a steady rise in various parts of
India over a 20 year period.

Discussing the findings, study author Pavan Kumar said New Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh experienced increase in “very high light pollution intensity” from 1993
to 2013.

“This means that these states already had a high level of light pollution which has gone up further
over the years,” said Pavan Kumar of Kumaun University, Uttarakhand.

Whereas in states such as West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, outdoor brightness due to artificial
lights, transitioned from low to high in 20 years.

Urban expansion, cropping up of new suburban residential areas and industrial and agricultural
development are attributed to increasing brightness in these patches. Urban expansion, industrial
developmentand air pollution have been the main actors for increasing light pollution in these states.

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“Only two states, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, exhibited decrease in light pollution from 1993 to
2013,” Pavan Kumar told Mongabay-India.

Ne
w Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh experienced increase in “very high
light pollution intensity” from 1993 to 2013. West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu witnessed a
remarkable change from low to high light pollution. Photo by Pavan Kumar et al.

Decrease in brightness was predominantly identified in the areas having small undeveloped urban
areas and where mineral extraction industries have been closed and transformed into some other
infrastructural facilities.

“This is true for Assam and Madhya Pradesh where air pollution is also low. Both these states are also
maintaining and enhancing natural unlit areas,” pointed Pavan Kumar.

Lighting the skies rather than just streets

To map the upward light emissions from outdoor light sources, the researchers turned to eyes in the
sky.

They acquired night time light satellite-based imagery of the US Air Force Defence Meteorological
Satellite Program (DMSP) to chart trends. DMSP designs, operates, and maintains satellites for
monitoring the meteorology, oceanographic, and solar-territorial environments.

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The streetlights that we have do not focus the light rays on the streets itself, they emit upwards too.
This light as captured by satellites orbiting in the sky has been used as an indicator of light pollution
in our study, said Pavan Kumar.

“The night time light data that we used is linked to outdoor light sources in urban areas so it doesn’t
capture the sky glow which refers to the orange glow or brightening in urban areas caused due to
excessive light,” explained co-author Meenu Rani of G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan
Environment & Sustainable Development.

According to the International Dark Sky Association, when streetlights come on, light rays branch off
in different directions.

Some of the light rays are directed up into the sky and travel completely through Earth’s atmosphere.
Of these rays, a few will be detected by satellites as they pass over the night time side of our planet. In
still other cases, rays are scattered back to the ground by dust particles or molecules in the
atmosphere, forming the familiar “sky glow” seen over cities.

Occasionally, rays directed downward reflect off the ground into the sky, where they might escape the
atmosphere and be seen by satellites. Lastly, some downward-scattered rays make it into astronomers’
telescopes, effectively blocking their view of the universe, the association said.

Urb
an expansion, industrial development and air pollution have been the main actors for increasing light
pollution in these states. Photo by Pavan Kumar et al.

In 2017 results of a global study pointed out the “loss of night” due to excessive artificial light at
night for India is three times faster than the global average.

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Christopher Kyba who conducted the 2017 study pointed out that Pavan Kumar and colleagues
“measured that upward light emissions are increasing, and this probably means that many forms of
light pollution are increasing.”

“The problem is that ‘light pollution’ can mean a lot of things. Artificial sky brightness is light
pollution, glare that prevents from seeing well is a form of light pollution, when someone’s lamp
shines in others bedroom that is light pollution, and when artificial light affects animals and plants,
that is light pollution,” Kyba told Mongabay-India.

“If you have large increases in light observed by satellite, then it is very likely that many of the other
types of light pollution are getting worse,” he said.

While Desai and others push for guidelines and norms, Pavan Kumar and colleagues also bat for
regulation of outdoor light consumption in core urban areas where maximum use of light has been
found by implementing laws to maintain the minimum level of light consumption.

“Adoption of efficient lightning sources and their accessibility among people can go a long way in
reducing level of light pollution,” said Pavan Kumar.

Indian government data says over 21 lakh LED street lights have been installed across the country
under Street Light National Programme.

Kyba believes that everyone who installs lights can take action. The most important things are that
lights should not be brighter than necessary, and outdoor area lighting should not shine down.

“For example, illuminated LED video signs should be dimmed at night. They are actually really
unpleasant to look at during night if they are not dimmed, because they are so much brighter than the
surroundings. In general, making things brighter won’t make things more visible – what matters is
how the light is distributed. So people should try to use the least light that allows them to see
well,” Kyba explained.

The researchers echo Kyba’s suggestion that with area lighting, it should be installed so that no light
shines into the atmosphere — that is, all the light should go downward.

“Cities can adopt policy to require advertisers to turn off lights after a certain hour, or put restrictions
on what types of area lighting is allowed, or restrict how bright signs can be. There are lots of
possibilities,” Kyba said.

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As light pollution hides the night sky, it has also sparked an interest in the latest travel
trend: astrotourism. Desai, who recently indulged in a round of night-time photography in Malshej
Ghat, a small hill station near Mumbai, wants to seize this opportunity for greater awareness.

For starters he has written to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation on light pollution
awareness and to make the site dark sky compliant ,light spill over.

“This will provide citizens an experience to witness a truly dark sky, see the Milky Way and
astronomical events and in turn increase revenues and awareness on light pollution. They liked my
idea and will be working to make not just this location but several locations across Maharashtra dark
sky compliant,” Desai added.

Lig
ht pollution map of Delhi and it’s adjacent areas. Map by Jurij Stare,

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Light Pollution Sources
The top diagram is an example of bad outdoor lighting; the fixture throws light upwards and
sideways. The bottom diagram is an example of
good outdoor lighting; the fixture directs light
downward, protecting the night sky.

The primary cause of light pollution is outdoor

lights that emit light upwards or sideways. Any
light that escapes upward, except where a tree or
building may be blocking it, will scatter
throughout the atmosphere and brighten the night
sky, thereby diminishing the view of it. Air
pollution particles will also increase the
scattering of light at night, just as it impacts
visibility in the daytime.

Light fixtures that direct all light downward

greatly reduce the amount of light pollution.
These are referred to as shielded lights, or the
engineering term full cut-off. Some light does
reflect off the ground and scatter through the sky, but this has a smaller effect than light that shines
directly upward. Light pollution can be further reduced by utilizing a less powerful lamp or bulb.
These modern improvements in lighting not only greatly improve the quality of the night sky, but also
have other benefits. These include better visibility, improved safety, less energy use, and better
aesthetics.

Recent research shows that light that emitted just above the horizontal (slightly upwards) is the most
likely to cause light pollution (Luginbuhl, Walker &Wainscoat, 2009). Such light that grazes across
Earth's surface is several times more damaging than light that is emitted straight upward. This
underscores the importance of using well-designed light fixtures with a full cut-off design.

Outdoor lighting consumes about three to five percent of electrical demand in developed countries.
Depending on how light pollution is defined and the local lighting practices, the fraction of outdoor
lighting that contributes to light pollution can range from 20 to over 50 percent. Thus, minimizing
light pollution also achieves meaningful energy savings on a national scale and provides an economic
incentive to upgrade or replace outdoor lighting with more sustainable solutions.

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In some instances, even a single light can be disruptive to the natural lights cape. While one light may
not affect the entire night sky, the bright point source of light can annoy neighbours (a problem called
light trespass), reduce perceptions of solitude and naturalness, confuse nocturnal animals, migrating
birds, and insects and spoil cultural landscapes. Even a candle seen from a mile away is brighter than
each of the stars in the Big Dipper, so very small amounts of stray light can impact natural lights
capes.

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 CHAPTER-6: SUSTAINABLE OUTDOOR LIGHTING
PRINCIPLES

The National Park Service recognizes that natural lights capes and dark night skies are critical for
natural and cultural resources, the visitor experience, and astronomy-based recreation and interpretive
programming. National Park Service managers and staff work to protect natural lights capes by
minimizing light that emanates from park facilities, and seek the cooperation of park visitors,
neighbours, and state and local governments to prevent or minimize light pollution that can affect
park ecosystems (NPS Management Policies 4.10). Outdoor lighting often obscures natural darkness.
To reduce the effects of light pollution and restore natural lights capes in national parks, working with
partners and gateway communities, the national park service developed a set of science-based
principles for sustainable outdoor lighting. Further information regarding specific effects that light
pollution can have on wildlife and other natural and cultural resources, as well as human health and
visitor experience can be found on our Night Sky as a Resource and Value page

Stovepipe Wells Hotel in Death Valley National Park, lighting retrofit. NPS

Benefits of sustainable outdoor lighting

When properly designed and installed, park friendly outdoor lighting has many benefits, including but
not limited to:

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  Improves energy efficiency and Reduces carbon footprint
 Preserves night skies and Enhances wilderness character
 Provides for basic human safety and Enhances human health
 Enhances historic authenticity and Reduces operational and cyclic maintenance costs
 Minimizes impacts to wildlife and visitors
 Provides opportunities for economic development through astronomy-based tourism

Useful light versus trespass light and dark shadows.

Sustainable outdoor lighting principles

To recognize the benefits of sustainable outdoor lighting, NPS recommends the following basic
principles.
1. Ensure the Lighting is Necessary – the first question in considering what type of outdoor lighting
is appropriate for an area or structure/facility in a national park is whether there even needs to be a
light at all. In many cases, reflective tape, paint, or reflective surfaces can be used instead (this is a
good option for roadways, parking areas, and trails where people will have headlamps, flashlights,
and cell phone lights).
2. Light Only Where Needed – When lighting is necessary, identify the task area that needs to be
illuminated. Lights should be selected and installed with proper height and light distribution to
prevent light spill or trespass beyond the task area. LED technology allows for a wide range of light
distributions and control making it possible to tailor lighting to a specific task.
3. Use Recessed and Fully Shielded Fixtures – A fully shielded or full cut-off fixture emits light

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downward onto the task area and not into the sky. A shielded fixture ensures the light source (bulb or
LED) is recessed within the housing so no portion of the bulb is visible at eye level. Globes or
diffusers that hang below the light fixture emit a great deal of light upward into the sky causing an
inordinate amount of glare that degrades visual performance and should be avoided. Lights that are
directed laterally such as floodlights should also be avoided.
4. Light Only When Needed – Fixtures that include or can accommodate lighting controls such as
timers, motion detectors, and dimmers ensure the appropriate amount of light is used when needed.
These technologies can increase energy efficiency and reduce impacts to park natural and cultural
resources.
5. Minimum Light Level Necessary – The amount of light needed to safely illuminate an area for a
given task in a park is often much lower than that needed for urban environments. Increasing light
output does not necessarily equate to a safer night-time environment and can often reduce visibility
and therefore safety. Consequently, it is important to use the lowest light output for a task. Light
output can be measured in Lumens- the unit of measurement used to specify the intensity or
brightness of LED bulbs. LEDs are highly efficient and use significantly fewer watts to achieve equal
lumen outputs of older light types, therefore wattage is no longer used as a measure of brightness.
6. Use LEDs in Warm Colours – For many outdoor uses, warm white colours are appropriate and
readily available from commercial retailers. 2700 Kelvin can provide excellent colour rendition while
minimizing unintended impacts. For sensitive environments, 2200k or direct amber options may be
appropriate. LEDs with colour temperatures greater than 2700k emit a moderate to significant
proportion of short wavelength (blue) light that may appear brighter than warm lights. This may
reduce safety by creating discomfort glare -and impacting dark-adapted vision. Blue light may also
adversely affect both human and wildlife health and behaviour.

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 CHAPTER-7: CONCLUSION

Issues to measuring light pollution

Measuring the effect of sky glow on a global scale is a complex procedure. The natural atmosphere is
not completely dark, even in the absence of terrestrial sources of light and illumination from the
Moon. This is caused by two main sources: airglow and scattered light.
At high altitudes, primarily above the mesosphere, there is enough UV radiation from the sun at very
short wavelengths to cause ionization. When the ions collide with electrically neutral particles they
recombine and emit photons in the process, causing airglow. The degree of ionization is sufficiently
large to allow a constant emission of radiation even during the night when the upper atmosphere is in
the Earth's shadow. Lower in the atmosphere all the solar photons with energies above the ionization
potential of N2 and O2 have already been absorbed by the higher layers and thus no appreciable
ionization occurs.
Apart from emitting light, the sky also scatters incoming light, primarily from distant stars and
the Milky Way, but also the zodiacal light, sunlight that is reflected and backscattered from
interplanetary dust particles.
The amount of airglow and zodiacal light is quite varied depending, amongst other things on sunspot
activity and the Solar cycle but given optimal conditions, the darkest possible sky has a brightness of
about 22 magnitude/square arc second. If a full moon is present, the sky brightness increases to about
18 magnitude/sq. arc second depending on local atmospheric transparency, 40 times brighter than the
darkest sky. In densely populated areas a sky brightness of 17 magnitude/sq. an arc second is not
uncommon, or as much as 100 times brighter than is natural.
Satellite imagery measuring
To precisely measure the brightness the sky gets, night time satellite imagery of the earth is used as
raw input for the number and intensity of light sources. These are put into a physical model of
scattering due to air molecules and aerosols to calculate cumulative sky brightness. Maps that show
the enhanced sky brightness have been prepared for the entire world.
Bortle scale
The Bortle scale is a nine-level measuring system used to track the intensity of light pollution in the
sky. A Bortle scale of five or less is required to see the Milky Way whilst one is "pristine", the darkest
possible.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books:
 Luginbuhl, C. B., Walker, C. E., &Wainscoat, R. J. (2009). Dark skies: A practical
guide to astrotourism. Springer Science & Business Media.
Journals:
 Kumar, P., & Rani, M. (2019). Brightness from outdoor lights in India on a steady
rise. Urban Climate, 27, 235-240.
 Gaston, K. J., Davies, T. W., Bennie, J., & Hopkins, J. (2012). Reducing the
ecological consequences of night‐time light pollution: options and developments.
Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(6), 1256-1266.
 Kyba, C. C., Kuester, T., de Miguel, A. S., Baugh, K., Jechow, A., Hölker,
F., ...&Guanter, L. (2017). Artificially lit surface of Earth at night increasing in
radiance and extent. Science advances, 3(11), e1701528.
 Longcore, T., & Rich, C. (2004). Ecological light pollution. Frontiers in Ecology and
the Environment, 2(4), 191-198.
 Falchi, F., Cinzano, P., Elvidge, C. D., Keith, D. M., &Haim, A. (2011). Limiting the
impact of light pollution on human health, environment and stellar visibility. Journal
of Environmental Management, 92(10), 2714-2722.
 Gaston, K. J., Duffy, J. P., Gaston, S., Bennie, J., & Davies, T. W. (2014). Human
alteration of natural light cycles: causes and ecological consequences. Oecologia,
176(4), 917-931.
 Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. (2009). ANSI/IESNA RP-8-09:
Recommended practice for roadway lighting. New York, NY: Illuminating
Engineering Society of North America.
 Cinzano, P., Falchi, F., &Elvidge, C. D. (2001). The first World Atlas of the artificial
night sky brightness. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 328(3),
689-707.
News Paper and Magazines:
 Mongabay-India. (2019, January 15). Light pollution on the rise in India. Retrieved
from https://india.mongabay.com/2019/01/light-pollution-on-the-rise-in-india/
Websites:
 National Park Service. (n.d.). Outdoor lighting. Retrieved from
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nigh...
 Kyba, C. (2017). Global study on the "loss of night" due to artificial light at night.
Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/sci...
 Desai, N. (2019). Fighting light pollution in Mumbai. Retrieved from
https://india.mongabay.com/2019/0...

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