House Briefing July 13, 2009 The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution

House Briefing July 13, 2009 Chad Moore National Park Service Night Sky Team The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution

House Briefing July 13, 2009 Chad Moore National Park Service Night Sky Team Terry McGowan International Dark-Sky Association Board of Directors The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution

House Briefing July 13, 2009 Chad Moore National Park Service Night Sky Team Terry McGowan International Dark-Sky Association Board of Directors Bob Parks International Dark-Sky Association Managing Director The Energy and Environmental Consequences of Light Pollution

What is Light Pollution?

Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky

Sky Glow = Illumination of the Night Sky Glare, Light Trespass, and Disruption of the Natural Nocturnal Environment. What is Light Pollution?

Consequences of Light Pollution Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow

© 2003 Todd Carlson During blackout (Milky Way)

© 2003 Todd Carlson During blackout (Milky Way) After blackout (light pollution)

Consequences of Light Pollution Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass

Direct Waste- 50% Glare- 10% Productive- 40%

Most effective Solution for Light Pollution: Shielded Fixtures

Consequences of Light Pollution Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental

Artificial light contributes to an estimated 10 to 40 million bird deaths annually in the United States alone.

Our diurnal bias has caused us to ignore the obvious. The world is different at night. Longcore & Rich 2006 What if we woke up one morning to realize that all conservation planning of the last 30 years told only half the story the daytime story? What if we woke up one morning to realize that all conservation planning of the last 30 years told only half the story the daytime story?

Nature needs the night. Longcore & Rich 2006

Consequences of Light Pollution Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental Human Health Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental Human Health

The Past 3 billion years ago to ~120 years ago ~12 hours sunlight ~12 hours dark season and latitude permitting Shift Work (Evening, Night, Rotating) Shift Work (Evening, Night, Rotating) Late-night Reading, TV & Computers Late-night Reading, TV & Computers Dimly-lit Bedrooms (Light Trespass) Dimly-lit Bedrooms (Light Trespass) Sky Glow Sky Glow Shorter & Irregular Sleep Duration Shorter & Irregular Sleep Duration Day Work Inside Buildings (No Sun) Day Work Inside Buildings (No Sun) Dim days inside buildings Lighted nights leading to Circadian Rhythm Disruption Electricity The Present ~120 years ago to now

Melatonin Levels in Human Blood Plasma

Circadian Disruption has be linked to various Physiological Issues Mental Health Seasonal Affective Disorder Poor Concentration and Alertness Physical Health Sleep Disruption Immune System Suppression Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes Potential Increased Cancer Risk

Consequences of Light Pollution Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental Human Health $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO 2 Loss of the Starry Night = Skyglow Visual Impairment = Glare & Light Trespass Environmental Human Health $$$$ + Energy Waste + Global Warming CO 2

Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001

Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001

Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001

Artificial Night Sky Brightness due to Light Pollution Cinzano, Falchi, and Elvidge, 2001

Efficiency in Outdoor Lighting New York, Philadelphia, Washington. MiamiHouston Dallas Chicago

Dulles Airport Rock Creek Park Route 236 Vienna, Tysons Corner Richmond Highway

42,000,000 kWh (Isobe 1997) $5,000,000 (2007) Washington Metro Area Wasted Energy (Annually) Washington Metro Area Wasted Energy (Annually)

Thank You Lighting the Sky Costs the U.S. Over $2.2 Billion Each Year and Produces Over 14.7 Million Tons of CO 2

Thank You