The City Dark

"Chad Moore, of the National Parks Service, reminds us, When we add light to the environment, that has the potential to disrupt habitat, just like running a bulldozer over the landscape can. Darkness is a necessary habitat for nocturnal animals, so what's the habitat for people?" (qtd. in City Dark)

 

Light pollution produces these destructive consequences. Every living thing depends on the Earth's regular rhythm of day and night to manage internal cycles. Some animals depend on this dark source to search for food and mate. But, us as human beings do not worry about how other living organisms will adapt to our convenience.

 When reading this quote you have to stop and think about how selfish we look, but also how we are harming the life of other living organisms. Light pollution is harming the lives of animals such as birds, sea turtles and even plants.  For example, birds use the moonlight and stars as a way of navigating through the night skies, but with brightly- lighten cities they become disoriented and crash into these brightly- lighten buildings. Another example, some plants bloom at night but with the excessive use of lights, prevents this from happening.

As seen in the documentary light pollution also endangers sea turtles. Sea turtles are attracted to light. Newly born sea turtles need the dark sky to find their way towards the sea, but because of artificial light behind the beach, they end up heading towards the cities instead of the sea.

Animals that have to avoid predators, such as frogs, or snakes, constrain their movements under a full moon, and hunt on moonless night, others search for food after dark, but because of high use of lights, they never get to see that darkness they wait for.

The things that we find so convenience in our daily lives have now token a toll on other organisms. I feel as though, we do not worry about things unless they affect us. So let me state, not only are animals and plants affected by light pollution, but we as human beings are. Light pollution (Indoor lights and outdoor) affect our melatonin level which can lead to cancer. Indoor and outdoor light sources affect our basic cycle within our bodies.

With that being said, “Are we actually benefiting from our excess use of light source?” Not really, if you ask me. Cancer is not beneficial for one’s health.

The sad part about this whole thing is that this type of pollution continues to spread and intensify in countries throughout the world, and many people remain unaware of its negative impact. We have grown to enjoy the things ease our living, but can cause potential harm to not just animals, but us too.

By turning off unnecessary lighting, closing your blinds while lights are on, or turning off the television before you go to bed, you are making difference. With a few cut backs, and new designs, we can put an end to light pollution, and preserve our planet.