DON BOSCO CHURCH VADODARA

• Light pollution is the over illumination of cities and night skies by artificial lighting.
• It is caused by the abundance of light sources emitting light outside of an intended direction.
• Light pollution exists in many forms like glare, light trespass, sky glow.
• Glare is a disruptive light that shines horizontally.
• Light trespass is the unwanted shining of light onto nearby areas.
• Sky Glow is a halo over inhabited areas caused by the scattering of light particles.
• Wildlife is also affected by light pollution, particularly Sea Turtles. They follow the nocturnal schedule and this pollution disrupts the patterns. The instinct of turtle hatchlings of following moonlight which leads them to the ocean is intercepted by the light from inland cities. Because of this, they can’t make it to the ocean.
• Humans are also affected by light pollution; the excess light can overwhelm the photoreceptor cells in the retina, damaging one’s eyesight. It also disrupts the sleep patterns and causes sleep deprivation, leading to a number of health problems like Cancer.
• The concerning problem of light pollution also contributes to global carbon emissions.
• Every year, potentially billions of dollars’ worth of Coal or oil which are used as fuel for electricity are wasted on unnecessary light.
• Over the past several decades light pollution in North America has increased at an estimated rate of 6% to 10% every year.
• Efforts have been made to help counter this rise in excess light, including the development of alternative energy efficient light bulbs and smarter directional lighting designs.