The excessive light that enters one’s property is categorized into light tress pass

Ed Rendell, a seasoned American politician stated that ‘there are a tremendous amount of environmental issues that are on the table’. He is right in his views in the sense that human selfish overtures have aggravated the environmental condition and we at present are faced with new emerging forms of pollution. The human induced interference is causing huge damage to global environment, and year after year we are facing new challenges. The environmental alterations are now coming in new forms. Who could have imagined hundred years back that artificial light that illuminate our cities, towns, villages and commercial areas could one day become a nuisance for the mother earth. Even fifty years back such type of news would have been considered weird and unacceptable. However, due to advanced technology, scientists have been able to unravel this new emerging problem which is related to the welfare of the earth. Recent report published by BBC has highlighted various issues related to light pollution. Most interesting finding in this report has been the loss of night in many parts of world. It is presumed that increased concentration of artificial light may have major impacts on the ecological functioning, and therefore it is important to aware people about this upcoming environmental problem. It is pertinent to mention that our region (J&K) can hardly come under photopollution map during winters, rather it will be considered as ‘under-illuminated’ region as we are worst hit by electricity shortages.

The realization of ‘light pollution’ is a recent discovery and for the most of the past history, the concept of over-illumination as a form of pollution would have made no sense. Although, awareness of ill-effects of photopollution started in the beginning of 20th century, the real concern started after 1960 when space research geared up in different European countries. The mass movement to realize the concern of vanishing nights across the globe stated in 1980’s after the establishment of International Dark-sky Association (IDA) through a global dark-sky movement. Its initial efforts were to educate and aware general public about the effects of artificial over-illumination on the curtailment of duration of night. However, other deleterious effects of light pollution were not elucidated until light levels were quantified by advanced satellite imagery, field measurement or mathematical modeling and finally these results were displayed as an isophote map or light contour map. With these advances in understanding the nature and intensity of this new type of anthropogenic pollution, scientists are now putting their effects to unravel various deleterious effects of light pollution on biotic communities.

There are various types of light pollution which have been reported by researchers. These include over-illumination, glare, light clutter, skyglow and light trespass. However, it is pertinent to mention that a single offending light source can fall into more than one of the above five categories. The excessive light that enters one’s property is categorized into light tress pass and this type of photo pollution has been considered to cause sleep deprivation. The over-illumination i.e. excessive use of light, in cities, towns and villages has been considered to be responsible for the energy wastage. The reflected light from the illuminated surface is response for the skyglow which hampers the stargazers to enjoy the night sky.

Light pollution has been already considered a global problem of scaled up industrialization. The urban cities of world are already facing the drowning effect of light during the night and even in major world cites, there is no concept of day and night. In 2013, Hong Kong was considered worst affected city with reference to light pollution, whereas in 2016, Singapore won the competition for the most light polluted country. It has been estimated that one third of world’s population is unable to enjoy the stargazing, especially the Milky Way. More than 80% Americans and 60% of European are estimated to be affected in future by light pollution for their interest in stargazing. According to National Geography (2017), star chasing has become rare among many Americans, and many enthusiastic stargazers have to visit other countries including India to fulfill their passion. The artificial lights can hamper our view of the universe and further change the rhythm on the earth.

The effects of light pollution is not only limited to stargazing and it has now emerged as multidimensional problem. The over-illumination has been blamed for health problems and also affecting many ecological systems of the globe. As a major side effect of urbanization and industrialization, researchers believe that anthropogenic light pollution will be great challenge in year to come for the developed as well as developing countries. The major consequences of light pollution include energy wastage, animal and human health impacts, ill impacts on psychology, disruption of global ecosystems, effect on astronomy and reduction of natural sky polarization.

According to ecologists, emission of excessive artificial light can have detrimental effects on the fresh water ecosystems. Franz Holker, a renowned ecologist at the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries considers artificial light a form of environmental pollution that may have ecological as well as evolutionary implications for many groups of organisms ranging from microorganism to higher vertebrates including humans. Various authentic research reports suggest that light pollution has maximum impacts on the nocturnal fauna. Among animals groups, more than 60% of nocturnal invertebrates are effected by excessive illumination and in the same way light pollution can affect 30% of nocturnal vertebrates. Ecologists fear greater consequences of artificial light that could lead to ecological catastrophe if immediate remedial measures are not taken. The chronobiologists have already showed their concern that enhanced anthropogenic light pollution can affect the endogenous circadian rhythmicity that will ultimate disturb the biological clock of human beings.

According to Jim Richardson, a well-known National Geography photographer, ‘Of all the pollution we face, light pollution is perhaps the most easily remedied’. Yes, it is indeed possible if government as well as general public show their responsibilities to curb the excessive use of artificial light during night. Various suggestions have been given in past to overcome the problem of excessive use of light. The use of never versions of light like Amber LED lights or filtered LED lights called FLED have been recommended to reduce the emission of light. In addition general public and administration can also control the intensity and direction of light. New policy of lighting should be introduced in cites so that excessive use of artificial light should be stopped. Legislation is another way to get rid of this problem. There is need of stringent law that will formulate lighting fixtures and use of shielding in order to prevent out flux of light. It is pertinent to mention that world’s first light-pollution law was enacted in 2002 in Czech Republic. In India, we are still waiting for light pollution law that will allow us to check on this anthropogenic form of pollution.

In sum, light pollution is emerging environmental issue that needs immediate attention from the concerned authorities so that we can have remedial plan before it will show its detrimental effects. If we are not ready to combat this form of pollution, then ‘lighting revolution’ will not only damage our health and ecosystems, but will also wipe out the passion for stargazing.

Dr. Ummer Rashid Zargar is SERB-DST Fellow, Department of Zoology, CUK, Sonwar Campus