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Light Pollution

Updated: Jan 15, 2019

Ever wonder where the Milky Way went?

Light pollution is "any adverse effect of artificial light". It is the excessive and inappropriate light at night, explained Dave Ingram, the leader of the Northwest Chapter of International Dark-Sky Association. Now that we get accustomed to the well-lit parking lots, sports fields, and all the electronic gadgets at home, we can hardly imagine what nights used to look like. But besides the fact that we can no longer star gaze in our backyards, light pollution has a profound impact on our lives and civilization. We turned to our guests Dave Ingram and Eric Scigliano for insight. Eric is an acclaimed editor and writer who has written extensively on this subject.

Dave and Eric pointed out some often overlooked impacts of light pollution:

Excess energy consumption and costsDisturbance to natural habitatUnintended obstruction to human developmentAdverse health effect on human and animal alike due to the upset of the Circadian rhythm

Luckily, enthusiasts have taken steps to prevent further erosion of our environment. Model lighting is now being studied and made into building requirements. The goal is to create aesthetically-pleasing, yet eco-friendly, lighting.

Artificial light has opened our eyes to many possibility. Too much of it though is blinding our sight to the magical sky, which has shown us the path to human development. This week's amazing conversation will surely lit up your curiosity.

A discussion on how too much light can impact our life and our environment, and what is being done about it.

Listen to broadcast 09/24/13

Dave Ingram, Northwest Chapter Leader, International Dark-Sky Association

Eric Scigliano, Contributing Editor, Crosscut, and Science Writer, Washington Sea Grant

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