This article discusses if there are any lights that don’t cause pollution. Lights are important because they light up our surroundings during the night. On the other hand, lights can also cause pollution that affects our environment. Excessive use of lights can cause light pollution, which makes people wonder if there is a light that does not cause light pollution. Let us find out the answer below.
Are there lights that don’t cause light pollution? LEDs and compact fluorescents are some of the lights that do not cause light pollution. These types of lights can help reduce energy use and are also eco-friendly. On the other hand, make sure that you only use warm-colored bulbs should be used.
Artificial lights can cause light pollution. Moreover, they can also be a nuisance. Outdoor lights that are too bright can cause glare discomfort. It can also lead to loss of darkness, which can be a problem for those who would like to see stars in the night sky. How do you reduce light pollution? What is a dark-sky-friendly light? Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information.
What is a Dark Sky Friendly Light?
Dark sky-friendly light is a lighting fixture that gives off a specific light pattern. They come with shields that prevent casting light at the top of the fixture. Dark sky-friendly lights offer lighting towards the ground where it is needed. Moreover, it does not reflect the light into the atmosphere so it does not contribute to light pollution. Dark sky-friendly lights should be turned off when it is not in use. Take note that if a lighting fixture gives off light in all directions, it wastes energy. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make light dark sky compliant. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
How to Reduce Light Pollution
Light pollution can be reduced by limiting the use of decorative light, using LED lights, using automatic systems, and using glare-free lighting for vehicles. Let us learn more about these below.
Decorative Lights
One way to reduce light pollution is to reduce the use of decorative lights. Holiday seasons like Christmas often cause excessive use of decorative lighting that stays on even during the day. People like to decorate their outdoors with bright lights for an impressive look. On the other hand, this can contribute to light pollution. It is best to reduce the use of decorative lighting during the holidays. Eco-friendly candles can be used as an alternative.
Automatic Lighting Systems
You can also use automatic lighting systems. If the moon is shining brightly in the sky, you can turn off your outdoor lights. Using automated lighting systems is ideal because they automatically turn off when they are not required. Moreover, you can set the timer according to how many hours you would like the system to turn on.
LED Lights
Another way to reduce light pollution is to use LED lights. LEDs use less energy as compared to other types of lights. Aside from that, it is also an eco-friendly type of lighting. Make sure to use only warm-colored bulbs. The good thing about LED lighting is that it minimizes luminance but still provides the right visibility. Warm lights are ideal for outdoor lighting. Moreover, you can use warm or filtered LEDs to effectively reduce blue emissions.
Glare-Free Vehicle Lighting
Use glare-free lighting for your vehicle. Take note that dimming the lights of your car at night is ideal especially when street lamps are providing adequate lighting. In case there is not enough lighting in the street, you can use medium lighting. Using bright lights can lead to glare, which can be very dangerous because it can blind oncoming drivers and cause accidents. Moreover, it is also bad for the wildlife. Many animals get killed on the roads during the night because the glares blind and distort their locomotive aspects.
Low Glare Alternatives
Another way to reduce light pollution is to use low glare alternatives. Nowadays, you can choose from a wide array of low glare alternatives that are sold on the market. These lights provide sky-friendly outdoor lighting.
Brightness Level
Make use to use the right brightness level for your outdoor lights. The problem with many residential outdoor lights is that they are too bright. You should choose warmer color temperature lights to achieve the right level of brightness. Moreover, make sure that the lumen output is at the lowest level. Choose from a wide array of lights with different wattage bulbs.
Blue Lights
Avoid using blue lights because they can increase glare. Blue lights are also dangerous for motorists and pedestrians. Moreover, blue light at night affects the behavior and reproduction of wildlife especially in the cities, where migratory species often stop. Using outdoor light fixtures that give off blue lights can worsen skyglow. This is because it has a larger geographic reach as compared to other lighting.
✅ Video – Light Pollution: The Solution Is Easy!
Theodore Roosevelt NP shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses an easy solution to light pollution. In the video, examples of how effective lighting is safer and can save money as compared to traditional lighting are discussed. Check out the video for more information.
What is Glare Light Pollution?
Glare light pollution is the excessive brightness of lights. Looking or staring at a glare can cause squinting as well as other visual discomforts. Outdoor lighting such as lamp posts and street lights can cause glare.
Can Outdoor Lighting Cause Light Pollution?
Outdoor lighting can cause light pollution. One of the reasons for this is that most outdoor lights are too bright and are harmful to the environment. Excessive lighting does not only cause discomfort, but it is also a waste of energy because too much light is wasted. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if LED lights reduce light pollution. We have provided tips and ideas that you can refer to.
How Can Outdoor Lighting Cause Light Pollution?
Among the ways where outdoor lighting causes light pollution include poor placement of lighting, using improper fixtures that cause glare and light trespass, and excessive use of lights. Moreover, lights that are not properly installed can cause sky glow. This means that the light goes upwards or it bounces up from a reflective surface. Nowadays, more and more people are using outdoor lights for many reasons. Aside from safety concerns, outdoor lights are also used as decorations that make the property stand out. However, this can lead to light pollution which affects humans, wildlife, and the environment.
What is the Main Cause of Light Pollution?
The main cause of light pollution is artificial light. Artificial light plays a huge part in light pollution. However, you need to take note that some lights have a more significant impact as compared to others. When you go out at night, you notice street lamps, car headlights, lighted business signs, decorative lights, porch lights, security lights, and spotlights in your neighborhood. All of these cause light pollution. It is very important to limit the use of artificial lights because it affects not only the environment but humans and animals as well.
Do LED Lights Reduce Light Pollution?
LED lights can reduce light pollution. Nowadays, lighting fixtures are designed so that it is dark sky friendly. LED lights effectively reduce light pollution and also reduce energy. Using LED street lights can minimize power consumption by up to 60 percent.
Does More Light Make You Safe?
Contrary to what a lot of people believe, more lights around your property do not make you safe. It can even be bad because burglars can see every area of your property and they can find a way to easily break in. It is best that you strategically place your lights around your home so that it lights up specific areas. This way, you can save money by lowering your energy bills and also reducing light pollution. Read this article to find out how to block your neighbors motion sensor. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to.
How Can We Fix Light Pollution?
There are many ways to fix light pollution but the easiest and most effective is to turn off the lights. This can be a problem because nighttime visibility is important. As an alternative, you can use fully shielded light fixtures. These types of lights prevent light from being wasted. Meaning, it only lights up specific areas that you want to be lit. The benefit of using fully shielded lights is that it prevents light from traveling up into the sky. As a result, it reduces sky glow.
Take note that about 75% of artificial sky brightness is the result of light that escapes directly from fixtures. Hence, using fully shielded lights can effectively reduce sky brightness.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if there are lights that don’t cause light pollution. We have found out that LEDs and compact fluorescent lights are good options to use if you want to reduce light pollution. We have also shared tips on how to reduce light pollution. If you are using outdoor lights, make sure that it is dark sky friendly. There are many dark sky-friendly lighting fixtures available on the market that you can choose from. Thank you for reading!