In America’s ever-growing cities and towns, about 80 percent of people have never seen the Milky Way Galaxy stretching across the sky. The Milky Way is not elusive, nor is it hard to spot, given the right conditions. However, it is a rare site in a world that has come to rely upon electric lighting outdoors. In most spots on Ohio University’s campus, as well as Uptown Athens and the majority of off-campus housing, you’d be lucky to catch more than about two dozen stars, even on a clear, moonless night.
Light pollution washes out our view of the universe. And while the loss of the night sky is enough to convince me, few others are even fazed by what they’re missing. However, the stars up above aren’t the only things suffering from inefficient lighting. According to the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), bird migrations are thrown off by the glow of streetlights and buildings below, the circadian rhythms of nocturnal creatures are thrown out of balance, money is wasted through inefficiencies in lighting, electricity is overused, further contributing to our worsening energy and environmental crises, money is wasted, and our sidewalks are no safer than they were before electric lights.
Yes, you read that correctly. Increased lighting has never been linked to a decrease in violent crime. In fact, numerous studies (several of which are sited on the International Dark Sky Website here: http://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/lighting-crime-and-safety/) have shown just how ineffective lighting is at preventing crime. In fact, glare from streetlights causes the pupils to constrict, letting less light in and making it harder to see. You’ll notice this especially driving at night in the rain, when glare from streetlights bounces off of water droplets in all directions, making driving significantly more hazardous.
Yet humans are wired to prefer the light. We’ve evolved over thousands of years to a circadian rhythm that puts us to bed at night and convinces us to stay away from the dangers that lurk in the darkness. Electric lights help us to counteract our instinct, giving us a sense of security while walking across campus at night. And despite the lack of evidence supporting an increase in safety, it is likely impossible to contradict the instinctual sense of security that people gain from well-lit paths.
So how can we effectively light our paths, easing our minds and heart rates as we walk at night, while minimizing the ecological, environmental and security risks? First, all lights can be placed in a well-shielded fixture – that is where the bulb is placed inside a fixture that only directs light at a downward angle towards what needs to be illuminated. This helps eliminate “light trespass” and “skyglow” which are both harmful byproducts of many electric lights. Second, all lights on walkways can be placed at waist level or lower, within well shielded fixtures. This eliminates glare entering peoples eyes, adequately lighting the path without reducing our eyes’ natural dark adaptation. Finally, all lights can be placed on timers, dimmers, and motion sensors that only light an area when it’s needed, significantly reducing waste.
Perhaps with a change in our thinking, and a push towards more efficient best practices, we might be able to protect the ecologically diverse area surrounding Athens, make our campus safer and even look up at the sky in wonder.
Rhys Ivan is a senior studying music education at Ohio University.
