Light Pollution

Shining a light on a hidden threat

Learn more

Drag the slider to see how artificial light clouds the Milky Way

What is light pollution?

Light pollution is the excessive or misdirected use of artificial outdoor light that brightens the night sky beyond its natural state.

The impact

Environment

The brightness of night sky is rising globally by approximately 9.6% per year

Wildlife

80% of birds migrate using stars and moon and light pollution disorients them

Human health

Nighttime light pollution causes distrupted sleep, anxiety, and depression

Energy & CO₂

About 30% of all outdoor lighting is wasted - $3.3b and 21 million tons of CO₂ per year

Global light pollution map

What can you do?

At home

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  • Use blackout curtains
  • Turn off outdoor lights
  • Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting
  • Use warm white LED bulbs

In your community

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  • Advocate for dark sky ordinances
  • Support local dark sky initiatives
  • Participate in community stargazing events
  • Educate others about light pollution

Proven solutions

Shielded Street Lighting

Properly designed fixtures direct light downward, reducing sky glow by 80%

Warm LED Conversion

3000K LEDs preserve night vision while reducing blue light pollution

Smart Dimming Systems

Adaptive lighting reduces intensity during low-traffic hours

Dark Sky Communities

Certified areas show dramatic star visibility improvements

References

All the data comes from reputable sources and DarkSky International reports.

1. Betts, Anna. “Light pollution at night may increase risk of Alzheimer’s, study finds.” The Guardian, 4 Mar. 2025, www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/06/light-pollution-alzheimers-study.

2. Hartley, Ruskin. “Artificial Light at Night: state of the science 2023 report released | DarkSky International.” DarkSky International, 18 July 2023, darksky.org/news/artificial-light-at-night-state-of-the-science-2023-report.

3. Menculini, Giulia, et al. “Insights into the Effect of Light Pollution on Mental Health: Focus on Affective Disorders—A Narrative Review.” Brain Sciences, vol. 14, no. 8, Aug. 2024, p. 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080802.

4. Scorzafava, Lauren. “New study highlights the need for urgent action to reverse runaway light pollution | DarkSky International.” DarkSky International, 24 Aug. 2023, darksky.org/news/new-study-highlights-the-need-for-urgent-action-to-reverse-runaway-light-pollution.

5. “Solutions to light pollution | DarkSky International.” DarkSky International, 11 Sept. 2024, darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/light-pollution-solutions.