Artificial Light In The Environment

There Is An Urgent Need For Government To Recognise That Artificial Light In The Wrong Place Or At The Wrong Time Is A Pollutant Which Can Harm The Natural Environment. This Report Focusses On The Loss Of The View Of The Stars, The Nuisance Caused By Badly Designed Lighting, And The Effects Of Artificial Light On Nature And Ecosystems. The Commission Heard Evidence That Suggests That More Light Isn't Always Better In Terms Of Reducing Crime Or The Incidence Of Road Traffic Accidents. Millions Of Road Lights Are Nearly 30 Years Old And Will Need Replacing And This Should Be Seen As An Opportunity To Think About Minimising The Negative Impacts Of Stray Light. There Is Also Evidence Suggesting That Artificial Light Can Have Adverse Effects On The Biology Of Many Plants And Animals. The Move Towards Replacing Existing Yellow/orange Road Lighting, Which Does Not Affect Many Organisms, With More Modern Broader Wavelength Lighting, Which Is Likely To Be Detected By A Greater Number And Variety Of Organisms, Could Lead To Significant Impacts On Natural Systems. The Rcep Are Therefore Keen For Local Authorities To Consider Alternatives To Simply Providing More Light, Such As Using New Lighting Technologies Coming On-stream, And Dimming Or Turning Off Lights In Quieter Areas Where They Are Not Needed. This Would Have The Added Benefit Of Reducing Energy Use