Saviors of the Darkness: Individuals Engaging in Shadowy Rescue Operations

Pervading Darkness: Shining a Light on Light Pollution

Witness the hidden side of environmental degradation with a new perspective — light pollution. As astrophysicist Thomas Kraupe and light technology professor Carolin Liedtke spearhead the EU project "Darker Sky," we delve into the unseen ramifications of this modern-day environmental stressor.

From smoggy factories and plastic-filled oceans to mountains of waste, most people would never associate their concerns with neon billboards, LED yard lights, or floodlights. But don't be misled, as light pollution, an increasingly dire environmental issue, has far-reaching consequences for both humans and the environment.

In the realm of light pollution, Thomas Kraupe—previously the director of Hamburg's Planetarium—warns, "Just as you have environmental pollution, water pollution, or garbage, you have light pollution. And this light pollution really does harm both humans and life on Earth in numerous ways."

The EU-backed "Darker Sky" project seeks to enlighten people on this overlooked subject. Take for instance the "Long Night of Astronomy" festival, where attendees can immerse themselves in lectures, light measurements, and virtual reality installations to unveil the significance of the night sky.

The Night Sky: The Aching Backbone of Life

The impacts of light pollution ripple through ecosystems, affecting flora, fauna, and humans. As Carolin Liedtke, leader of the "Darker Sky" team and professor of light technology, notes, "Light pollution influences flowers, fauna, and even humans. We've evolved to adapt to the natural transition from day to night. We disrupt this balance by making nights brighter because it no longer gets dark."

Its consequences? The disruption of plant life and animal behavior on a massive scale, as plants lose their natural rhythm and nocturnal creatures struggle to sustain their critical nighttime activities like hunting and mating. Many species, who rely on natural darkness for their survival, will be forced to adapt or perish due to light pollution.

While we humans are day-dwelling creatures, we suffer from disturbed sleep patterns brought on by artificial lighting at night. This sleep disruption, if persistent, can lead to long-term health problems and, potentially, diseases.

But what can be done to counterbalance light pollution without plunging society into darkness?

A Soft Glow: Balancing Light and Darkness

A total abandonment of light is, of course, an unrealistic solution. Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges at industrial sites, hope lies in the adoption of warmer lights with reduced blue content and harnessing the power of smart technology to dim lights in response to reduced traffic or late-night hours.

In areas beyond heavy industry, many of the lights we see decorating our nightscapes may be superfluous. For instance, the city of Hamburg currently employs a static lighting system, in which streetlights come on at dusk and go off at dawn, even if it might not be required everywhere. Liedtke proposes, "If we consider traffic flow and time of day, we could reduce the brightness of lights or only turn on every second streetlight." Even at events, the implications for lighting may necessitate a rethinking of traditions, such as the blue lighting spectacle of the Blue Port festival. "While it's beautiful for humans to see, for nature, it's a disaster," Liedtke points out, "since it disrupts the natural order of things. The effects are not only immediate, but also involve delayed reactions."

Celestial Connection: The Night Sky as a Cultural Pillar

In urban environments, the chance of spotting stars is a rarity. Thomas Kraupe explains, "The night sky has been essential to humanity for centuries and has played a central role in our development, serving as a powerful inspiration and a major research subject." Despite humanity's impact on the night sky in the last five decades, countless nations have acknowledged light pollution as an environmental concern and integrated measures to curb it into their national legislation.

With the groundbreaking work of projects such as "Darker Sky," experts hope to develop sustainable concepts that will guide future city planning and preserve our dynamic connection with the cosmos. Researchers from architecture, lighting design, astronomy, and environmental technology are collaborating to discover innovative solutions for reducing light pollution that could potentially be scaled up for widespread implementation.

One of the research hubs in Hamburg, partnered with the district office of Altona, is focused on testing new lighting technologies to counteract the environmental impact of light pollution. Alongside this technology-driven approach, communication to the public remains a vital component of the project, with Liedtke and her team emphasizing the importance of educating the public and raising awareness about the need for energy conservation and responsible lighting practices.

A Night Without Darkness?

As more and more people call Earth home, the challenges posed by light pollution may only escalate, particularly in developing regions like Asia and Africa. Though awareness of the issue has grown substantially in recent years—especially in Europe and North America—radical change is unlikely to be imminent.

Kraupe forebodes, "It would be a great tragedy if the night sky became a museum piece."

In hopes of seeing the stars over Hamburg, one must venture away from the city. For the least light-polluted skies in the Hamburg region, a short trip to the Lüneburger Heide is recommended. These remote, star-filled skies may rekindle your sense of wonder for the celestial canopy above, reminding you of the interconnected web of life that extends beyond our anthropocentric concerns.

[1] Web Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-017-1026-8

[2] Web Link: https://iea-darkskies.org/resources/

[3] Web Link: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/01/16/national/science-health/light-pollution-cancer-earth-nature/

[4] Web Link: https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/artificial-outdoor-lighting-levels/assessment

[5] Web Link: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/366/6461/1468

Contributing Authors:

Patricia Zippel — Having traveled to every continent except Australia since obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Tourism Management, Patricia Zippel finds herself captivated by the city of Hamburg. For the Netzpiloten Magazin, she recently produced a podcast on topics like digital art and sustainable smartphones. Following that, she embarked on a reporting internship with the magazine "Flow."
Simon Laumayer — Simon Laumayer, a bouldering champion since the age of 16, has turned his passion into a full-time job, creating climbing routes in Lüneburg. As press spokesperson for the Lüneburger Musik- und Kulturfestival "Lunatic" for several years, he also interviews indie musicians for Rolling Stone magazine. At heart, he's a hip hop aficionado.
Stella Bruttini — Stella Bruttini, hailing from Kiel, has a Bachelor's degree in PR and Marketing. She spent her first stint with "Mit Vergnügen Hamburg" traversing the city's myriad eateries. Pasta is her preferred cuisine of choice, and her dream is to someday settle at the shores of Lake Garda.

The night sky, essential for human development and a major research subject in science, is under threat from light pollution.
Light pollution, an increasingly dire environmental issue, affects mental health and disrupts the natural rhythms of plants and animals, potentially leading to long-term health problems in humans.
To counterbalance light pollution, the adoption of warmer lights with reduced blue content, smart technology to dim lights when not required, and reconsidering lighting at events could help us maintain a balance between light and darkness.
Education and awareness about the need for energy conservation and responsible lighting practices, as well as the development of sustainable concepts for reducing light pollution that could potentially be scaled up for widespread implementation, are crucial for future city planning and preserving our connection with the cosmos.