Losing darkness: Satellite data shows global light pollution on the rise

[Maverick]

A good read!

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017...ata-shows-global-light-pollution-on-rise.html

"Artificial light, and the subsequent loss of nighttime darkness, is "a very new stressor" that many organisms have not had time to adapt to , according to Hölker. Thirty percent of vertebrates and more than 60 percent of invertebrates are nocturnal, he said, so artificial lighting can directly affect the life and sleep cycles of those organisms, and there have been many studies documenting this phenomenon.

That can also have a ripple effect on the ecosystem, he said. For example, a recent study showed how street lamps affect insects that pollinate plants at night, thus impacting the plants as well.

"Light pollution] threatens biodiversity through changed night habits, such as reproduction or migration patterns, of many different species: insects, amphibians, fish, birds, bats and other animals," Hölker said. "And it can even disrupt plants by causing … late leaf loss and extended growing periods, which could of course impact the composition of the floral community."

One of the main reasons I love being out here where I am at is because I can see the heavens and enjoy it, I know when we traveled, towns and city lights drowned the sky making it difficult to pierce the glow around heavily lighted areas.

 

[jontte]

that is a serious problem of today,as of that pollution,I love nothing more,than gaze the stars on a clear night.
I do it sometimes,by takeing something to sit on,go into the woods,find a clearing,poor some coffee from the thermos and look...and look.

 

[toexist]

I can see the heavens just fine from the suburbs.

 

[Maverick]

Milky Way to the right of Mount Shuksan in the background, Seattle lights Southwest of the mountain (behind it) starts erasing much of the stars

 

[toexist]

Our planet has much bigger problems than artificial lighting. I don't see anyone here giving up any of their comforts/luxuries for the sake of the environment or biodiversity anytime soon.

 

[jontte]

Our planet has much bigger problems than artificial lighting. I don't see anyone here giving up any of their comforts/luxuries for the sake of the environment or biodiversity anytime soon.

unfortunately you are right on that my friend.
perhaps in the future,when mankind is more sensible...or then not.

 

[Maverick]

Our planet has much bigger problems than artificial lighting. I don't see anyone here giving up any of their comforts/luxuries for the sake of the environment or biodiversity anytime soon.

Absolutely right

GOSP is to the east of me, one of the more famous observatory (historically speaking) has been struggling with this issue for years trying to form a balance to this problem but like you said, people aren't willing to give it up.

From The Goldendale Observatory State Park (GOSP)

"SHINING A LIGHT ON DARKNESS: Representatives from and supporters of the Goldendale Observatory showed up last Tuesday at the Klickitat County Commissioners meeting to press for compliance with dark sky policies. A slide from a presentation by Bob Yoesle shows the dramatic difference in night visibility between light spillage on the left and safe, dark-sky friendly lighting on the right. Concerns about safety and costs of dark-sky lighting were raised and addressed, with the group asserting safety could actually be enhanced and costs could be lessened with environmentally sound lighting."

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/s...sp-takes-dark-sky-message-to-county/3768.html

 

[DrPrepper1]

I remember when I lived in the Azores ( tiny little islands near Europe) it was so dark at night I could see the stars and watch the satellites fly by. They move like a shooting star, but in a smooth direction , pretty fast, and at the same height. It was always cool to watch.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I can climb up to the highest point on the ranch at night and have a 360 deg view. And not see a single light in any direction. Driving to town I pass by some ranches and almost every one has at least one yard light burning all night long. The only thing I can figure is they're afraid of the dark, or they just like paying a high power bill. I use solar powered motion sensor lights around here and they work fine for me.

 

[Gazrok]

I can see the heavens just fine from the suburbs.

Not even remotely the same as when in a rural area. The sheer amount of lights in the sky is simply humbling. When my daughter first came to live with us, I remember walking her outside on a dark night, then telling her to look up. The look on her face was priceless....

 

[toexist]

Not even remotely the same as when in a rural area. The sheer amount of lights in the sky is simply humbling. When my daughter first came to live with us, I remember walking her outside on a dark night, then telling her to look up. The look on her face was priceless....

Like I said...I can see them just fine. The clarity of the stars is not one of my concerns.

 

[Gazrok]

While I can agree as far as a view goes (importance wise), an impact on nocturnal creatures could affect a lot of the ecosystem, and that could affect agriculture, which then affects the price of goods. So, everything is connected, and not so easily dismissed. Still, I will agree we have far more pressing concerns these days....

 

[DrHenley]

Well, on the plus side...

Cockleburs only flower on short days in late fall and winter when the number of hours of light are at a minimum. One hour of artificial light at night can disrupt their flowering cycle.