Lights are a detrimental side-effect of urbanization. It affects human health and psychology, and ecosystems. Let us explore some of the effects! 

Health 

It is widely known that blue light emitted from our smart phones restrains the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls our circadian rhythm. Melatonin helps keep us healthy. It has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Nighttime exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin production (Kluger,2017).  In addition, a Harvard study showed that artificial lighting may be linked to increased breast cancer rates, probably as a result of decreased levels of the hormone melatonin, which influences circadian rhythms. Currently, that connection has been found only in premenopausal women who are current or former smokers, but the link is troubling nonetheless (Harvard, 2017).

 

 

Ecosystems 

Plants and animals are reliant on the Earth’s cycle of light and dark rhythm to govern their behavior such as sleep, reproduction, nourishment or even seeking protection from predators. Artificial light at night alters this rhythm and affects many creatures.  Nocturnal animals are active and night and rest during the day, however, light pollution alters their environment. Glare from artificial lights can also impact wetland habitats that are home to amphibians such as frogs and toads, whose nighttime croaking is part of the breeding ritual. These lights disrupt their reproduction patterns and effectively reduce populations. In addition, sea turtles hatch at night on the beach. Hatchlings navigate towards the sea by following the moonlight. However, artificial lights draw them away from the intended destination. As a result, millions of hatchlings die every year in Florida (International Dark Sky Assocation, n.d.).

 

Thus, light pollution has an adverse impact on our health and ecosystem. These are some of the ways light pollution intrudes into our ecosystem systems. While there are fewer concrete ways to mitigate light pollution, acknowledging these effects can caution us to change our smartphone usage habits. Or even urban planning can avoid establishments close to nature reserves.  

 

 References

Harvard T.H Chan (2017). Outdoor light at night linked with increased breast cancer risk in women. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/outdoor-light-night-breast-cancer/ 

International Dark Sky Assocation (n.d.). Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/wildlife/ Kluger (2017). Light Pollution Is Getting Worse Every Year. That’s Bad For Your Health. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/5033099/light-pollution-health/

J. Kluger (2017). Light Pollution Is Getting Worse Every Year. That’s Bad For Your Health. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/5033099/light-pollution-health/