House Briefing July 13, 2009 The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution.

House Briefing • July 13, 2009

The Energy and EnvironmentalConsequences of Light Pollution


Chad MooreChad MooreNational Park Service National Park Service •• Night Sky Team Night Sky Team




Terry McGowanTerry McGowanInternational Dark-Sky AssociationInternational Dark-Sky Association •• Board of Directors Board of Directors




Terry McGowanTerry McGowanInternational Dark-Sky AssociationInternational Dark-Sky Association •• Board of Directors Board of Directors

Bob ParksBob ParksInternational Dark-Sky Association International Dark-Sky Association •• Managing Director Managing Director


What is Light Pollution?


Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky

Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky

Glare, Light Trespass, and Disruption of the Glare, Light Trespass, and Disruption of the Natural Nocturnal Environment.Natural Nocturnal Environment.

Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky

Glare, Light Trespass, and Disruption of the Glare, Light Trespass, and Disruption of the Natural Nocturnal Environment.Natural Nocturnal Environment.


Consequences of Light PollutionConsequences of Light Pollution

• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow

© 2003 Todd Carlson

During blackout (Milky Way)

© 2003 Todd Carlson

During blackout (Milky Way) After blackout (light pollution)



• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass

Direct Waste- 50%

Glare- 10%

Productive- 40%

Most effective Solution for Light Pollution: Shielded Fixtures

Most effective Solution for Light Pollution: Shielded Fixtures




• Environmental• Environmental

Artificial light contributes to an estimated 10 to 40 million bird deaths annually in the United States alone.

Our diurnal bias has caused us to ignore the obvious. The world is different at night.”

Our diurnal bias has caused us to ignore the obvious. The world is different at night.”

Longcore & Rich 2006

“What if we woke up one morning to realize that all conservation planning of the last 30 years told only half the story — the daytime story?

“What if we woke up one morning to realize that all conservation planning of the last 30 years told only half the story — the daytime story?

‘Nature needs the night.’’‘Nature needs the night.’’

Longcore & Rich 2006





• Human Health• Human Health

The Past3 billion years ago

to~120 years ago

~12 hours sunlight~12 hours dark

season and latitude permitting

Shift Work (Evening, Night, Rotating)Shift Work (Evening, Night, Rotating)

Late-night Reading, TV & ComputersLate-night Reading, TV & Computers

Dimly-lit Bedrooms (Light Trespass)Dimly-lit Bedrooms (Light Trespass)

Sky GlowSky Glow

Shorter & Irregular Sleep DurationShorter & Irregular Sleep Duration

Day Work Inside Buildings (No Sun)Day Work Inside Buildings (No Sun)

• Dim days inside buildings• Lighted nights leading to

•Circadian Rhythm Disruption

Electricity

The Present~120 years ago to now

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

Day Night Night / Light

Plasma Melatonin (pg/ml)

Melatonin Levels in Human Blood Plasma

Circadian Disruption has be linked to various Physiological Issues

Mental Health •• Seasonal Affective Disorder

•• Poor Concentration and Alertness

Physical Health• • Sleep Disruption

• • Immune System Suppression • • Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes • • Potential Increased Cancer Risk

Circadian Disruption has be linked to various Physiological Issues

Mental Health •• Seasonal Affective Disorder

•• Poor Concentration and Alertness

Physical Health• • Sleep Disruption

• • Immune System Suppression • • Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes • • Potential Increased Cancer Risk






• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO22





• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO22

Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution

Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001

Efficiency in Outdoor Lighting

New York, Philadelphia, Washington.

MiamiHouston

Dallas

Chicago

Dulles

Airport

Rock

Creek

Park

Route

236

Vienna,

Tyson’s

Corner

Richmond

Highway

42,000,000 kWh (Isobe 1997) $5,000,000 (2007)

Washington Metro AreaWashington Metro Area

Wasted Energy (Annually)Wasted Energy (Annually)

Washington Metro AreaWashington Metro Area

Wasted Energy (Annually)Wasted Energy (Annually)

Thank You

Lighting the Sky Costs the U.S. Over $2.2

Billion Each Year and Produces Over 14.7 Million Tons of CO2

Lighting the Sky Costs the U.S. Over $2.2

Billion Each Year and Produces Over 14.7 Million Tons of CO2

Thank You

House Briefing July 13, 2009 The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution.

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