The Editor,
Light pollution, ever heard of it? It is when artificial light is cast into the night sky diminishing the view of space for citizens and astronomers alike. Light pollution can also be classified as the use of excess and unnecessary light. So why is it such a problem for the citizens of Richmond?
Studies have shown that women who are exposed to artificial light at night have a higher chance of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that the body suppresses its ability to produce melatonin (when in contact with artificial light), which is a key to fighting cancerous cells. It can also cause disruption of the circadian clock, which is linked to several medical disorders like depression, insomnia, cardiovascular disease, cancer.
Light pollution also has the ability to harm animals and our environment. It can disrupt natural patterns of light and dark, which confuses navigation for animals, alters competition and affects reproduction. If an animal's habitat has been destroyed by too much light, it will cease to reproduce there.
Since the beginning of time, humans have used the sky as a navigation tool, calendar and clock. If the ongoing epidemic of light pollution continues, one day the stars and milky way will no longer be visible. We will only be able to look up into a bright haze of artificial light.
Slowing pollution is something everyone is capable of doing. By simply turning off excess lights in and around our homes, we can reduce light pollution. Bigger changes would be things such as installing more efficient outdoor lights that do not cast excess light upwards into the sky, but underneath them. Another great way to reduce pollution is with motion censored lights, which only turn on when activated by motion. Reducing our light pollution can be as easy as changing lights to a lower wattage light bulb. In the long term, we can save our Earth and our wallets.
Katherine Chan J.N. Burnett, Grade 11
