Light pollution is one of the most important problems in environments inhabited by human being. It is a pollution that does not leave physical waste but that, elongated in time, entails problems such as insomnia, fatigue, anxiety or inability to concentrate among many others. This is because it interferes directly with the natural sleep hours, which are those of the night.
In addition, its effects are not limited only to the human being, but also affects animals, both day and night. In the case of the former in a similar way to how it does in the human being, while in the second it hinders their biorhythms and some of their natural activities. If you want to know more about this phenomenon and Solutions for light pollution Reading Ecology Verde and we tell you.
What is light pollution
Light pollution is the Contamination produced by artificial light. It constitutes an alteration of the environment during the hours of the night that directly affects most of the ecosystems where it takes place. In addition, since it is a pollution that is intangible, many times it can go unnoticed or be undervalued.
However, because it directly affects living beings, it entails an important discomfort that manifests, above all, in the inability to meet natural activity-disagree biorhythms typical of each species. In fact, light pollution has an important effect on the trophic chains of nightclubs, since it directly affects hunting capacity and, therefore, feeding.
However, its effects can be noticed beyond living beings, for example, in the impossibility of seeing the night sky, since light pollution prevents the vision of the stars and most other celestial phenomena during the night. Overload the sky of artificial light Create a feeling of “false day” in the form of an orange sky.
Examples of light pollution
Since it is logical, light pollution is mainly located in urban nuclei and in the illuminated roads, since they are the spaces where human presence is greater and, consequently, also artificial lighting.
Some examples of causing light pollution that we find in Urban cities and nuclei are:
- Public lighting.
- Vehicle traffic.
- Advertising panels.
- Neon posters.
- The lights of the windows.
On the other hand, this pollution is minimal or non -existent in unpopulated areas. This is the reason why we are in the forest or somewhere far away we can observe a large number of stars and stars, something that is impossible in a city.
Main solutions for light pollution
Actually, the solutions are quite broad and, to some extent, simple to carry out. However, for this, the will be needed on the part of the institutions and social awareness so that citizens are aware of this problem and the important effects that it has both in human health and in the different ecosystems it affects. Some of the Solutions for light pollution are:
Guide lighting points well
One of the main problems that light pollution arises is that lamppings and other lighting points are not well oriented. A very oriented light point is one that directs the light only to the surface that you want to illuminate (usually the soil), without allowing a part of the generated light to dissipate in other directions and, especially, in the vertical direction towards the sky.
Use movement sensors
One of the problems that leads to light pollution is so widespread is that, most bulbs work continuously regardless of whether they are illuminating someone, which also entails a completely unnecessary energy waste. To solve it, it is enough to install movement sensors that are linked in accordance with the needs of each situation. In this way, the street lamps would only ignite when there were pedestrians, considerably reducing light pollution in the urban nuclei while the invoice of the municipalities.
Use little pollutant lamps
There are different types of illuminating, both from an energy efficiency perspective and of light tone. Opting the most efficient and less polluting lamps, nocturnal light pollution is reduced.
Illuminate only the essential
One of the most important elements when reducing light pollution (especially in urban nuclei) is to focus efforts to exclusively illuminate the pavements through which both people and vehicles circulate. In this way, ornamental illuminations, empty buildings, monumental or advertising lighting, etc. would be out of this necessary lighting, etc.
Prohibit lights projected to heaven
Light, lasers and other lights projected to heaven are a type of light that generates very high light pollution. Its use is completely expendable, since it usually has a merely recreational function. The local authority has competence to regulate the use of this type of lighting, so it is the municipalities who have the ability to avoid this source of light pollution so widespread in some places.
Turn off the lights when we are not using them
It seems very simple and well known by everyone. However, thanks to the use of LED bulbs (which reduce the consumption and cost of energy considerably) many people have become accustomed to leaving the lights on when they are not illuminating anyone. This is a mistake. The use of LED bulbs is a magnificent way to reduce energy consumption, but it should not fall into the error of wasteful energy under the excuse of being cheap. These types of actions entail a expendable energy expenditure and, in addition, generate light pollution that, without being as high as public roads, has a considerable impact when it adds to it.
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