The issue of excessive artificial lighting has become a hallmark of modern progress, with white and blue-tinged LEDs replacing amber or warm-toned lighting. This shift brightens the night sky and erodes the darkness needed to observe the stars. Experts quoted by a major British paper warn that, if current trends continue, most stars could fade from view within about twenty years. Beyond stargazing, the impact of this lighting spans wildlife and human health alike.
Researchers warn that without limits on outdoor lighting, street and public illumination, advertising, and sports venues, the Milky Way and nearly every star could become invisible within a couple of decades as lighting levels keep rising.
Astronomer Martin Rees, part of a multiparty parliamentary group, has helped assemble a report advocating Britain’s dark skies. The proposal outlines measures to cut light pollution, including creating a commission to regulate lighting use, intensity, and direction. In summary, the plan calls for reduced lighting hours and for lights to shine downward rather than sideways or upward, with emphasis on energy efficiency.
This challenge is felt across Europe and in Spain, where the Cel Fosc collective has long championed a dark sky. Their guiding maxim is that lighting should serve real needs, not merely illuminate indiscriminately.
A study led by Christopher Kyba of the German Center for Geosciences shows artificial lighting rising roughly 10 percent each year. The result is a sky that brightens, limiting what people can see at night to only the brightest stars. If a child is born tonight in a place where 250 stars are visible, by age 18, that child might see fewer than half of them, about 100.
Surprised birds fall to the ground
Loss of darkness affects more than stargazing; countless species rely on night to survive. Sea turtles, migratory birds, and many other living beings rely on moonlight for orientation. Light pollution can disorient these creatures, leading them off course. In the Canary Islands, for instance, dozens of seabirds annually become disoriented by coastal lighting and suffer injuries or death. The Balearic Islands face a similar threat to the Balearic shearwater, a protected species whose young are endangered when artificial lights mimic the moon.
Insects are drawn to artificial light and perish when they contact the source. The consequences extend to humans, as excessive illumination disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms. Several studies link bright nighttime lighting to health concerns, highlighting how persistent exposure can affect well-being.
White lights are the worst
Researchers from University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology explain that bluish-white LED emissions contain little red or near-infrared light, which plays a role in human health. Experts note that red and infrared portions of the spectrum have physiological significance, influencing metabolic processes and hormonal rhythms. The reduced presence of these wavelengths due to modern lighting can have implications for sleep, metabolism, and long-term health outcomes.
In recent years, the shift away from red and infrared light has been linked to shifts in circadian biology and related health trends. The decrease in these wavelengths, paired with a rise in high-intensity blue light, is a concern for nighttime exposure and overall well-being.
Environmental authorities remain focused on balancing illumination needs with the preservation of natural darkness. The goal is to minimize unnecessary lighting while maintaining safety and readability in public spaces.