Is it so bright

 

                                                             
To avoid the accidents that might occur in the darkness of the night many countries have established street lights. These lights are switched on at a particular time at night, reducing the darkness of the night making people feel more secure and safe. But this artificial light that illuminates the streets is known to cause light pollution.

Light pollution can be identified when brightness of these lights causes an obstruction to view the night sky, due the glare produced by these lights at night the brightness of the stars and planets reduces. Astronomers are especially concerned with this condition; the glare produced by artificial light obstructs the study of stars, planets and galaxies. Light pollution also effects the environment; light pollution also contributes to global warming. Light pollution effects can also be seen in the areas far off from the well illuminated city as this glare is known to reflect back to the earth. Many species depend on light for their life processes, depending upon the light they hunt, sleep, reproduce, etc. And light pollution affects these processes.  This glare has also delayed the migratory period of many species leading them towards extinction. Many species of birds tend to sing at an untimely hour as artificial lighting seem to have altered the time period of day and night, day seem to have prolonged.

Light pollution has also shown its effects on humans. Due to the artificial lighting many have an altered biological clock; it has also reduced melatonin production in the body there by increasing the risk of cancer, it has altered the cardiac rhythm, and also suppressed the immune system. It can also lead many psychological issues. It is one of the reasons why many suffer from mental disorders and this may also lead to sleep deprivation, Children who switch on light and sleep at night may develop vision problems, women who have been working night shifts have a greater risk of developing breast cancer due to light pollution.

 Light pollution is caused when the artificial light tends to direct more light towards the sky. To protect oneself from the effects of light pollution, one should try and reduce the usage of electrical lamps and bulbs; one should make sure to switch off the lights when not in use, one should make sure he/she switches off the lights before going to sleep as this will reduce the escaping artificial light and also benefits a person’s health.