The Cost of Light Pollution

Written By Michael Conway

Sitting up in the International Space Station, astronauts get to look out over the Earth to find a dazzling view of towns and cities twinkling in the night. Images, like this one from NASA, showcase the towns and cities where people live. This image and others like it look beautiful, but they are actually a result of light pollution. All of the light that is shines toward the sky from billboards, security lighting, and other sources not only creates skyglow, but also wastes billions of dollars in energy every year. 

Energy conservation has been a popular topic for some time now with movements to switch to more renewable sources and lower greenhouse gas emissions, and companies have begun more and more to cut down on waste and create products that are more efficient. But there is not as much of a conversation about fixing the energy waste that comes from light pollution. As technology for things like electronics and lighting has been improved on over time, they become more efficient and use less energy. For everyday people, switching to energy saving appliances, electronics, cars, and lightbulbs can save money over time compared to older models.

How Much Energy is Wasted and How are Places Making Changes?

This infographic from the International Dark Sky Association estimates that 35% of all outdoor lighting is wasted because of unshielded fixtures and badly designed lighting. The total cost of this waste was around three billion dollars every year in just the United States and creating the electricity that powers this wasted light makes around 15 million tons of carbon dioxide. These statistics are about 10 years old but looking at the more recent study done in 2017, these numbers have grown to almost six and a half billion dollars and 23 million tons of carbon dioxide.

            Some places are taking steps to reduce this waste by taking steps to turn off or dim lights that aren’t being used and switching to more efficient light bulbs. Down in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the town made a plan to reduce the number of lights in different places around town, including at schools and their recreation center. This change was estimated to save them 19 thousand dollars a year that could be budgeted toward other projects or community programs.

How much energy do your lighting habits use? Try this calculator from Regency Lighting to find out. Switching to energy saving electronics and appliances can help save money every year, but another way to save energy and money inside your home is as simple as only turning on lights when you enter the room and turning then back off when you exit!

How can we Save Energy?

Learn more about reducing your energy output and how to make your home dark sky friendly using the International Dark Sky Association’s Lighting Program and following a few simple steps.

  • Turn off or dim any lights, inside and outside, whenever you are not using them, including in office buildings, stores, and at home. If outdoor lights cannot be turned off, use motion sensors so the lights do not always remain on.

  • Use fully shielded light fixtures that point the light at the ground and only where it is needed.

  • Change out incandescent lightbulbs for warm red or yellow toned LED bulbs.

Michael Conway

I’m the owner of Means-of-Production. an online marketing agency for architects, interior designers, landscape, and design-build firms. I’m committed to building sites that grow website visits, lead conversion, and sales through content marketing and website design.

https://means-of-production.com/
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