house briefing july 13, 2009 the energy and environmental consequences of light pollution
TRANSCRIPT
House Briefing • July 13, 2009
The Energy and EnvironmentalConsequences of Light Pollution
House Briefing • July 13, 2009
Chad MooreChad MooreNational Park Service National Park Service •• Night Sky Team Night Sky Team
The Energy and EnvironmentalConsequences of Light Pollution
House Briefing • July 13, 2009
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
The Energy and EnvironmentalConsequences of Light Pollution
House Briefing • July 13, 2009
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
Bob ParksBob ParksInternational Dark-Sky Association International Dark-Sky Association •• Managing Director Managing Director
The Energy and EnvironmentalConsequences of Light Pollution
What is Light Pollution?
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.
What is Light Pollution?
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)
Consequences of Light PollutionConsequences of Light Pollution
• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow
• 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
Consequences of Light PollutionConsequences of Light Pollution
• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow
• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass
• 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
Consequences of Light PollutionConsequences of Light Pollution
• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow
• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass
• Environmental• Environmental
• 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
Consequences of Light PollutionConsequences of Light Pollution
• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow
• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass
• Environmental• Environmental
• Human Health• Human Health
• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO22
• • Loss of the Starry Night = SkyglowLoss of the Starry Night = Skyglow
• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass• Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass
• Environmental• Environmental
• Human Health• Human Health
• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO• $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO22
Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution
Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001
Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution
Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001
Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution
Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001
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