How to Minimise Light Pollution?

Due to the light bulb and other technical advancements, potent light sources now illuminate streets, highways, and significant urban centres/commercial buildings. These conventional business light fixtures provide ample illumination and greatly enhance the room's ambience and aesthetics.

Despite their usefulness in highlighting architectural details and enhancing visibility, these lights also add to the problem of light pollution. Specifically, when people talk about "ancient artificial lighting," they're referring to the practice of changing the way the outdoors looks during the evening hours. 

Furthermore, it has been observed that electric bulbs emit harmful chemicals or heat, harming the atmosphere in many ways. Thankfully, technological developments have led to the introduction of sustainable and eco-friendly modern exterior lighting options that counteract the adverse effects of traditional light sources.

As a result, light pollution is linked to the destruction of natural environments and the negative impacts on human health. Because of this, the natural beauty of the area is diminished.

But what precisely is this light pollution that people keep talking about? Here, you will learn all the information you need about illumination pollution and its causes and solutions.

Light Pollution

The term "light pollution" refers to the negative impact that artificial light has on earth.

Light pollution occurs when artificial light is used inefficiently, leading to problems like reduced natural lighting, ecological disruption, Etc. Lighting systems that aren't well thought out adversely affect people, animals, and plants alike.

It's a relief, then, that there are methods to fully illuminate a given area while simultaneously reducing the adverse effects of light pollution. Find out how you can help reduce light pollution by reading more.

Ways to Reduce Light Exposure

Here are some helpful ideas for reducing the adverse effects of artificial lighting:

1. Do not leave any lights on

You should probably start by turning off the lights. Show others the way by using the minimum electricity necessary and switching to LED bulbs. This is the simplest and least expensive method for lowering light pollution levels. 

2. The use of Light-Emitting Diode Technology

Using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in exterior and interior lighting solutions is a secondary concern. Among lighting experts, they are the go-to option for effectively lighting various places in a way that doesn't harm the environment while still allowing people to see clearly.

Today, there is a wide selection of LED luminaires, including spotlights, LED floodlights, concealed lights, and linear lighting systems. Simple product selection based on desired lumen output, aesthetics, colour tone, Etc., can maximize efficiency while minimising unwanted light pollution.

3. Downward-Facing Lighting Options

Lighting fixtures along roads and highways should be angled downward to reduce upward pollution. This will help prevent light from being reflected upwards and illuminate the road or streets below, improving visibility and safety. Thus, there will be less light pollution and less light scattering.

5. Efficient Illumination Layout

Turning off lights when not in use is essential to reducing light pollution, but an efficient lighting plan is also crucial. To prevent excessive glare, outdoor public lights should be directed downwards rather than upwards. As a result, the best LED manufacturers consider how to distribute the light so that as little of it as possible is directed skyward, thereby decreasing light pollution.

5. Use less ambience lighting

During times of party and celebration, it's common for people to leave on an excessive amount of decorative lighting. To avoid overly illuminating the sky during festivals, it is recommended that less ornamental lighting be used. Use eco-friendly candles instead of regular ones during celebrations to lessen the impact on the earth. It will also aid in energy conservation.

6. Major exterior lights are equipped with motion detectors.

A better security measure than leaving lights on all night is to put motion sensors on them and turn them on only when they detect motion. With motion sensors, lights will only turn on when they sense motion, reducing energy use and the amount of light emitted into the night sky. Dimmers and timers can lower the average lighting levels, resulting in significant energy savings.

8. Use coloured lighting.

Even though they are less effective at night, coloured lights can be used to reduce pollution. Because of their lack of glare, yellow, red, and amber lights can be used to lessen the nighttime lighting's negative impacts.

Not having any light at all is not necessary for pursuing minimal or optimal lighting. The above actions are helpful guidelines for achieving desirable, eco-friendly, and efficient illumination. 

The best lighting results can be attained by letting in as much natural light as feasible. You can further decrease your carbon footprint by using energy-efficient LED bulbs from Ankur Lighting to supplement the natural light.