The impacts of light pollution could also be mitigated from an efficiency and an externality standpoint.
Improving the efficiency of lighting could come in the forms of producing only light that is necessary and utilising energy-efficient light sources that produces the highest light output using the least amount of energy. To resolve this issue, countries have gradually switched to the use of LED lights which are more energy-efficient. For instance, Montreal has been utilising 3,000K LEDs for its 132,000 streetlamps since 2017, whereas cities such as Oslo have installed centrally-managed LED systems which can adjust the brightness of street lighting based on the amount of natural light present in the surroundings, resulting in a 38% energy savings (Echelon, 2014).
On the other hand, to reduce the externalities of excess light production, all light fixtures used should provide full coverage (full cut-off lights) to prevent excess light from being emitted into the environment as uplight. There could be standards implemented on the type of fixtures installed, across streetlamps globally.
Figure 1: Comparison of light fixtures (Proposed changes to land use code, n.d)
An extensive focus group discussion conveyed by the United Kingdom Parliament in December 2020, with more than 170 scientists, lawyers, astronomers and other experts, had also came up with a report with policy recommendations to tackle light pollution. Among which, the importance of increasing awareness on light pollution was emphasised, highlighting the need for education and meaningful discourse to come up with more innovative solutions to solve this pressing issue.
References
Echelon. (2014). Oslo street lighting system slashes energy use with Lonworks Network. [online] Available at: https://www.echelon.com/assets/bltd6560c36a2c5f39f/Lighting-City-of-Oslo-Street-lighting-case-study.pdf
Leekuanyewworldcityprize.gov.sg. (2020). Going dark for a brighter future. [online] Available at: https://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.gov.sg/resources/features/light-pollution/
Proposed Changes to Land Use Code Outdoor Lighting and Sign Illumination Standards Section 2.11.4 (Resort Commercial District). (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/463?fileID=638
Ten Dark Sky Policies for the Government All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dark Skies. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e567fb65a380a76eb3c8133/t/60c72d0311d31c3137515f31/1623665931233/APPG+for+Dark+Skies+-+10+dark+sky+policies.pdf