Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is caused by inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light, and its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, outdoor area lighting (such as car parks), offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues. Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, over-illumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow. Light pollution is a side-effect of industrial civilization and is a form of waste energy that can cause adverse effects and degrade environmental quality.
Light pollution can have negative impacts on humans, wildlife, and the environment. For example, it can disrupt the natural patterns of day and night, interfere with animal migration and reproduction, and affect human health and sleep patterns. Light pollution can also be detrimental to the quality of life of people, causing discomfort and distraction.
Solutions to light pollution are often easy steps like adjusting light fixtures or using more appropriate lightbulbs. However, addressing its impacts on humans and the wider ecological systems of Earth involves vast societal complexities that overlay light pollution with political, social, and economic considerations. There is a global movement to reduce light pollution, and everyone can help.
