Light Pollution.pptx
- 2. Light pollution is the excessive artificial light that is produced by human activities, and which can have negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Studies have shown that light pollution generates significant costs including negative impacts on wildlife, health, astronomy, and wasted energy—which in the U.S. amounts to nearly 7 billion dollars annually. Causes of Light Pollution - Outdoor lighting Urbanization Industrialization Advertising Transportation:
- 3. Types of Light Pollution – There are various forms of light pollution – 1. Glare - excessive brightness of lights that can cause visual discomfort or disability. 2. Light trespass - when light spills over into areas where it is not needed or wanted, such as neighbouring properties or protected habitats. 3. Sky Glow - brightening of the night sky over populated areas, caused by the scattering and reflection of artificial light by particles in the atmosphere. 4. Over lighting – bright excessive groups of light sources, commonly found in over-lit areas.
- 4. Effects – • alters the natural behaviours of various species such as insects, amphibians, fish, birds, and bats which leads to reduction in the total biomass and population size of these species and may impact the food chain. • Migratory fish and birds may also suffer from excessive energy loss and face obstacles to migration due to artificial lighting, potentially reducing their migratory success. • plants can be affected by artificial light at night, which may cause changes in their growth patterns and could ultimately impact the composition of the floral community. • Light pollution is also known to erode ecosystem services, such as the loss of nocturnal pollinators like moths and bats and the loss of aesthetic values like the visibility of the Milky Way. • many light-sensitive species may be lost but some may be able to adapt through rapid evolution.
- 5. • Artificial lighting on marine turtle nesting beaches causes disturbance in their ability of hatchlings to find the sea from their nest. Artificial lighting causes thousands of hatchling deaths each year. • Exposure to artificial light at night can confuse birds, disrupt their sleep patterns, and affect their hormonal cycles. This can lead to changes in behavior, such as altered feeding and mating habits, as well as impaired immune function. • Several studies have discusses the effects of light pollution on birds' daily rhythms, specifically the modification of their time of singing or activity. Several species of birds, such as the European robin, American robin, Common blackbird, and Great tit, have been found to be strongly affected by artificial light, with some birds even singing at night. • Throughout evolutionary history, natural light cycles have remained fairly stable at a given latitude. However, the rapid increase in global artificial light poses a significant disturbance to these natural cycles of light and darkness. Living organisms rely on natural light both as a resource and a source of environmental information. Artificial light, on the other hand, can potentially interfere with the effective use of resources and the flow of information within ecosystems.
- 6. Solutions to light pollution • Use proper outdoor lighting: Using fully shielded, directed lighting fixtures that emit light downward can help reduce light pollution. This type of lighting will also save energy and reduce costs. • Turn off lights that are not needed, • use motion sensors or timers to control outdoor lighting. • ensure that indoor lighting is not excessive, and use shades and curtains to prevent light from escaping outside. • LED lights with a warmer colour temperature (below 3000K) are less likely to cause light pollution than lights with a cooler colour temperature (above 4000K). • Using low-intensity lighting for outdoor areas, such as parks and gardens, • Plant to improve vegetation buffers between the light source and the beach to screen light to the beach.
- 7. Call to action • Use responsible lighting practices: Use outdoor lighting only when necessary and choose fixtures that are designed to minimize light pollution, such as those that are shielded or directed downward. Consider using motion-activated lighting or timers to reduce unnecessary lighting during off-hours. • Support dark sky initiatives: Support organizations that promote dark sky initiatives, such as the International Dark-Sky Association, and advocate for the protection of natural night-time environments. • Educate others: Raise awareness of the negative impacts of light pollution and educate others about responsible lighting practices. This can include talking to friends and family, posting on social media, or participating in community events. • Take action at home: Make changes at home to reduce light pollution, such as using window coverings to block out light, turning off unnecessary lights at night, or choosing low-intensity bulbs for outdoor lighting. • Support light pollution legislation: Supporting legislation and regulations that promote responsible lighting practices and reduce light pollution can also help prevent this issue.
- 8. Conclusion In conclusion, the effects of artificial lights on birds are significant and multifaceted. From disrupted circadian rhythms to disorienting migratory patterns, artificial lights have a range of negative impacts on wildlife, human health, scientific research, energy consumption, global warming, and the ageless pastime of observing the night sky. It is important for policymakers and urban planners to recognize the importance of mitigating the effects of light pollution on birds and other wildlife. By using efficient and properly directed lighting, reducing the amount of unnecessary illumination, and preserving dark habitats, we can help to protect animals and the ecosystem as a whole from the harmful effects of artificial lights. By working together to minimize the impact of artificial lights on the natural world, we can create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.
- 9. Reference 1. Gastor K.J (2013). The ecological impacts of night time light pollution: a mechanistic appraisal 2. Holkar.F (2010). Light pollution as a biodiversity threat 3. Longcore.T, Rich.C (2004) Ecological Light Pollution 4. Dominoni M.D. (2018) The effects of light pollution on biological rhythms of birds: an integrated, mechanistic perspective 5. Gallaway T, Olsen . N.R. (2010) The economics of global light pollution
- 10. Thank You