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Lighting Up the Nighttime
Article

Lighting Up the Nighttime

Artificial light at night needs to be reduced to limit negative environmental impacts.

Kevin J. Gaston
Science, 2018
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Humanity’s growing use of light at night brings both threat and opportunity, says biologist Kevin Gaston. Indiscriminate use of light at night can disrupt human sleep cycles, animal migration and breeding. It can also cause alterations in plant growth cycles that lead to cascading disruptions to ecosystems. But much of the potential harm can be allayed by strategically using lighting in a way that meets people’s needs while minimizing harm. This article will engage architects, engineers, planners and anyone involved in decisions about installing and managing artificial lighting.

Take-Aways

  • Artificial light from streetlights, buildings and other structures can harm people, plants, animals and ecosystems.
  • Artificial light is a growing problem as development expands and lighting technology changes.
  • To minimize harm, people need to use light more strategically and deploy technologies that limit adverse impacts.

About the Author

Kevin J. Gaston is a professor of biodiversity and conservation with the Environment and Sustainability Institute at the University of Exeter, UK.

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