Environmental risks from artificial nighttime lighting widespread and increasing across Europe
Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel1,2, Jonathan Bennie3, Emma Rosenfeld1
1Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK.
Science Advances
|September 14, 2022
Summary
Artificial light at night is changing Europe's spectral composition, shifting towards blue-rich white LEDs. This widespread spectral shift is increasing risks to ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Remote Sensing
- Ecology
Background:
- Artificial light at night (ALAN) is rapidly altering Earth's nighttime environments.
- Previous research lacked data on the spectral composition of ALAN, hindering risk assessment.
- Understanding spectral changes is crucial for evaluating environmental and human health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the spectral composition of artificial lighting across Europe using astronaut imagery.
- To identify regional spectral shifts in lighting over time.
- To assess the associated environmental risks based on spectral indicators.
Main Methods:
- Utilized digital camera imagery from the International Space Station (ISS).
- Analyzed lighting spectral composition across Europe for 2012-2013 and 2014-2020.
- Mapped spectral variations and reexpressed them using environmental pressure indicators.
Main Results:
- Documented a regionally widespread spectral shift in European lighting.
- Observed a transition from high-pressure sodium lamps to white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
- Detected increased blue light emissions associated with the spectral shift.
Conclusions:
- The observed spectral shift towards blue-rich white LEDs is a significant trend across Europe.
- This shift is increasing the risk of harmful effects on ecosystems.
- Further research is needed to fully understand and mitigate the ecological impacts of changing light spectra.
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