Light Pollution

What is Light Pollution?

Most people think pollution is just trash, smoke, or chemicals, but there’s a “secret” kind that harms animals every night: light pollution. It happens when all the artificial lights we use, like streetlights, signs, and floodlights, confuse animals and mess with their natural behaviors.

How does Light Pollution Harm Animals?

Light pollution harms many different kinds of animals. Imagine you’re a baby sea turtle, hatching from your little egg buried in the sand. Instinctively, you follow the brightest light you see, thinking it’s the moon guiding you to the ocean. But it’s not the moon, instead it’s a streetlight or building, and you get very confused. Baby sea turtles who wander off like this are at a greater risk of being eaten by predators before they even reach the water. Or maybe, you're a bird, and you use the moon and stars to navigate when you migrate. However, you see some bright city lights that make you go the wrong way, or make you circle around and around endlessly. These birds might even crash into windows or car windshields and become severely injured. If you've ever seen a moth on your outdoor light at night, you know that night insects are attracted to artificial lights, which messes up their pollination. Since the moths are not available, animals that eat them, like bats, have a hard time finding food. This unbalances the food chain as well. 

What We Can Do

Luckily, there are lots of ways we can help animals affected by light pollution. One simple thing is turning off lights that aren’t needed at night, especially outdoor lights near beaches, forests, or other wildlife areas. Using motion-sensor lights is another smart trick, because they only turn on when someone is nearby. Choosing wildlife-friendly lights, like amber or red ones instead of bright white or blue, can also make a big difference. You can even shield lights so they point downward instead of lighting up the sky. And, spreading the word to friends and family, or participating in events like Earth Hour, gives animals a break and helps more people notice the problem.