Opinion

Don’t Be Blind to How Bright

Our Lights Are
By Katharine Costello
Future Environmental Engineer

Oct. 31, 2019

Have you ever asked yourself the question why cities are so bright at night? With that, have you
ever thought about the impacts that streetlights have on the environment and the economy?

If not, do not feel ashamed. Most people do not contemplate these ideas often and are uneducated
about the issues resulting from light pollution. Light pollution is defined as “artificial skylight (as
from city lights) that interferes especially with astronomical observations.” (Merriam-Webster)
The unnatural lights are harming nature in many ways such as disturbing nocturnal wildlife and
showing damage to plantlife. Additionally, humans’ exposure to light pollution has been linked
to poor health as it increases rates of obesity, cancer, depression, stress, anxiety, and sleeping
disorders.
INSERT PARAGRAPH HERE ABOUT HOW POLICYMAKERS SHOULD HOP ON THIS
ISSUE!!!

Unfortunately, despite all of the negative impacts of light pollution, little action is being taken on
the subject matter. This does not make sense as there are many different approaches to solving
this problem. Some suggest enforcing lights-off policies from 12AM to dawn, but this has a lot
of pushback from community members. Shutting off lights completely make people feel unsafe.

Compromises can be made. Reducing the amount of light pollution does not have to be a
daunting task. There is a simple fix: if cities are required to use LED bulbs in their streetlights
and add cutoffs to the tops of lampposts.

LED streetlights are so efficient, especially compared to the high-pressure sodium bulbs that are
most frequently used for streetlights currently. They get the job done and allow councils to save
millions per year. Additionally, it has been “found that people feel even safer with the white light
from LED lighting, compared to the yellow tints of the old sodium lamps.” (Bright Ideas)
Cutoffs on the new fixtures should also be required as they eliminate the abundance of light
trespass, or instances where light spills into areas where it is unneeded.

Although some are weary about the price of switching to LED streetlights and installing new
fixtures, the benefits far outway the one-time cost. “The project will pay for itself — at a
minimum it will be financeable over 20 years, potentially sooner than that.” (Maykuth, 5) And
some fixtures, depending on what different communities choose, allow “operators to dim the
lights after midnight to save money or to crank them up to full brightness to assist responders
during a police or fire emergency.” (Maykuth, 7)
Overall, light pollution is not only jeopardizing the health of nature, but humans too.
Approximately one third of all lighting in the United States is unnecessarily wasted. But, it is not
too late to make changes. Cities can modify their streetlights by using more energy efficient
bulbs and adding cutoffs to direct light where it is needed.

Policymakers, you should use the authority you have to make a positive impact on not only your
community, but the planet as a whole. You can advance the economic standings of your
communities and make your constituents feel safer.