5 solutions to fight Light Pollution
In previous articles we have discussed the phenomenon of light pollution and its far-reaching effects on human life, wildlife and our planet. It remains for us to present, in this week's article, some solutions and measures that we can all take to help fight Light Pollution.
1) Use LED lights
Using LEDs can help reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. On the other hand, switching to LED lighting allows for lower luminance without ever compromising visibility (learn more about luminance here). Additionally, it is recommended that only warm light sources be used for outdoor lighting. Therefore, the ideal is to select lighting equal to or less than 3000ºK to minimize the emission of blue.
2) Reduce the amount of outdoor lighting used
Turning off unnecessary lights can significantly help in reducing light pollution and is the cheapest, easiest and most effective method of dealing with this problem. We can turn off the lights at bedtime or whenever there is no activity going on outside the house. If security is a concern, the lights can be activated along with a security alarm.
This measure is especially pertinent at the time in which we find ourselves. It is part of the Christmas spirit, to which we are all used, to see the outside of our homes extravagantly decorated with various themed lighting. This Christmas season, take the opportunity to reduce the amount and power of your lighting, thus contributing to the reduction of Light Pollution on your street.
3) Turn off your outdoor lights
In addition to reducing the amount of outdoor lighting, another of the simplest and most accessible options for everyone is simply turning off the lights. This not only helps to reduce light pollution, but also reduces energy costs and carbon emissions.
4) Use intelligent and automatic lighting systems
Timers and automated systems can be used to turn off street and highway lights when they are no longer needed and thus encourage natural lighting. Additionally, these systems can also be pre-configured to automatically turn off whenever the environment is naturally bright. However, the use of automatic systems to turn off exterior lights at certain times are not exclusive to public lighting, you can also apply them to the lighting of your home, for example by installing motion sensors or sunlight.
5) Select lamps with cover and with direct light for the public road
Street and highway lighting, that is, public lighting, must always be designed so that the least amount of light is reflected to the sky. The solution for this is to use lamps with covers that illuminate directly to the floor, that is, facing downwards. In this way, it would be possible to reduce the waste of lighting, focusing it only on the road, and consequently also reduce the amount of light reflected to the sky without any need.
1) Use LED lights
Using LEDs can help reduce energy consumption and protect the environment. On the other hand, switching to LED lighting allows for lower luminance without ever compromising visibility (learn more about luminance here). Additionally, it is recommended that only warm light sources be used for outdoor lighting. Therefore, the ideal is to select lighting equal to or less than 3000ºK to minimize the emission of blue.
2) Reduce the amount of outdoor lighting used
Turning off unnecessary lights can significantly help in reducing light pollution and is the cheapest, easiest and most effective method of dealing with this problem. We can turn off the lights at bedtime or whenever there is no activity going on outside the house. If security is a concern, the lights can be activated along with a security alarm.
This measure is especially pertinent at the time in which we find ourselves. It is part of the Christmas spirit, to which we are all used, to see the outside of our homes extravagantly decorated with various themed lighting. This Christmas season, take the opportunity to reduce the amount and power of your lighting, thus contributing to the reduction of Light Pollution on your street.
3) Turn off your outdoor lights
In addition to reducing the amount of outdoor lighting, another of the simplest and most accessible options for everyone is simply turning off the lights. This not only helps to reduce light pollution, but also reduces energy costs and carbon emissions.
4) Use intelligent and automatic lighting systems
Timers and automated systems can be used to turn off street and highway lights when they are no longer needed and thus encourage natural lighting. Additionally, these systems can also be pre-configured to automatically turn off whenever the environment is naturally bright. However, the use of automatic systems to turn off exterior lights at certain times are not exclusive to public lighting, you can also apply them to the lighting of your home, for example by installing motion sensors or sunlight.
5) Select lamps with cover and with direct light for the public road
Street and highway lighting, that is, public lighting, must always be designed so that the least amount of light is reflected to the sky. The solution for this is to use lamps with covers that illuminate directly to the floor, that is, facing downwards. In this way, it would be possible to reduce the waste of lighting, focusing it only on the road, and consequently also reduce the amount of light reflected to the sky without any need.
Case study
The municipality of Kelowna City, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, has managed to reduce its light pollution by changing over 10,000 street lamps to efficient LED lamps. This change not only significantly reduced photo-pollution, but also saved approximately $1 million a year in electricity costs. This value is equivalent to the energy use of more than 400 homes, on average.
The before (left) and after (right) photo clearly demonstrates the effects that the switch to LED technology has had on the city's light pollution.
In addition to these measures, another one that you can also take and that have no cost is to acquire as much information as possible about this phenomenon and share it with your family and friends.
The municipality of Kelowna City, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, has managed to reduce its light pollution by changing over 10,000 street lamps to efficient LED lamps. This change not only significantly reduced photo-pollution, but also saved approximately $1 million a year in electricity costs. This value is equivalent to the energy use of more than 400 homes, on average.
The before (left) and after (right) photo clearly demonstrates the effects that the switch to LED technology has had on the city's light pollution.
In addition to these measures, another one that you can also take and that have no cost is to acquire as much information as possible about this phenomenon and share it with your family and friends.