The winter solstice has passed which means the days will finally start getting longer. In the meantime, it’s important to be mindful of how our outdoor lights impact our environment. Unnecessary outdoor lighting and light pollution wastes energy, affects wildlife, and jeopardizes our health. Keep reading to learn what light pollution is and how you can mitigate it.
Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by excessive artificial lighting from streetlights, outdoor lights, electronic advertising, and other man-made sources. Exorbitant lighting can cause glare, sky glow, and light trespass which can negatively impact human health, natural ecosystems, and wildlife.
• Unnecessary lighting and light that shines when and where it’s not needed is wasteful environmentally and economically. It is estimated that at least 30% of all outdoor lighting in the United States is wasted! Using only the light you need helps to conserve energy and reduce your electricity bill.
• Many creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and plants depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark to maintain proper biological function. Prolonged disruption of this cycle can impact reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators. Learn more about Texas’ role in seasonal bird migration and how light pollution impacts them.
• Exposure to artificial light at night has been linked to negative human health effects, including increased risk of sleep disorders and obesity.
• Bad outdoor lighting can actually reduce safety rather than increase it. Overly bright and uncovered lights cause glare that reduces visibility and creates hazards.
• Light pollution also decreases our visibility of the night sky. The natural night sky and view of the Milky Way have been part of our heritage for centuries, even inspiring science, religion, art, and literature, including Shakespeare and Van Gogh.
Follow the Five Principles of Light to Protect the Night.
Useful
Use light only where it is needed. Before installing a light, consider if the light is necessary.
Targeted
The light should be directed only to where it is needed. Use a shield or careful aiming to direct the light beam downward and prevent the light from spilling beyond where it is needed.
Low Light Levels
The light should be no brighter than necessary. Use the lowest light level required and be aware that some surfaces may reflect more light into the sky than intended.
Controlled
Use controls such as timers or motion detectors to ensure light is only provided when needed. Outdoor lights should be dimmed when possible and turned off when not needed.
Color
Swap out your light bulbs with warm-colored bulbs. Look for bulbs labeled 2,200K – 2,700K.
• When replacing old bulbs, make sure you know how to dispose of your old ones properly. Some bulbs, like fluorescents, contain small amounts of mercury which can be hazardous to your health and the environment. TCEQ highly recommends recycling fluorescent bulbs at participating HHW programs.
• Other bulbs, like incandescent, halogen, or LED are safe to dispose of in your curbside bin.
• Not sure what to do with your old light fixture? Try donating it, selling it, upcycling it into something new, or finding a participating recycler.
• For more information on recycling lights and bulbs, read this blog.
Brighter doesn’t always mean better! Outdoor lights that are overly bright, unshielded, or spilling beyond where they’re needed can negatively affect wildlife, human health, and our environment. Follow the Five Principles of Light to Protect the Night and responsibly dispose of your bulbs and fixtures to help Take Care of Texas.
Want to see the difference reduced light pollution makes? Visit the cities on this list of certified Dark Sky Places in Texas!
