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Light pollution has intensified because of pervasive use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
LEDs are a light source widely used for energy-saving benefits such as consuming 90% less power than incandescent bulbs and having a lasting power of up to 60,000 hours. As a result, areas that used to be dim are now well-lit.
However, results of a study by GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience revealed that excessive use of LEDs negates its benefits and results in significantly brighter skies. After using a satellite radiometer to measure light pollution, the researchers discovered that artificial lighting radiance rapidly grew at an annual rate of 2.2% within five years. The increase is concentrated in developing areas like South America, Africa, and Asia.
Bright lighting at night is considered a stressor because it disrupts the circadian rhythm, or the internal body clock of humans. As humans have not yet acclimatized to bright evenings, they find it difficult to differentiate day from night.
Aside from humans, other organisms are subject to the negative effects of light pollution. For instance, nocturnal animals’ clocks are altered. Also, birds who migrate at night rely on moonlight and starlight to guide their path, but light pollution causes them to wander and collide with illuminated skyscrapers. This can result in their death. In addition, excessive brightness at night can alter the seasons. European ash trees blossom five days earlier compared to those in darker areas, causing spring to come earlier in brighter areas.
To mitigate the repercussions of using artificial lighting, the researchers recommend using well-designed LED lamps that can reduce the amount of misused light emitted by bulbs.