LIGHT POLLUTION Meaning and
Definition
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Light pollution refers to the excessive or misdirected artificial illumination that hampers the natural darkness of the night sky. It is a form of environmental pollution caused by the extensive use of artificial lights in urban areas, which disturbs the natural darkness and affects various aspects of both human and ecological life.
The primary source of light pollution is artificial outdoor lighting that is poorly designed or excessively bright. This includes streetlights, commercial buildings, houses, billboards, and other illuminated structures. These lights emit a significant amount of brightness that scatters, reflects off the atmosphere and other particles, which eventually obscures the visibility of celestial objects and diminishes the natural luminosity of the night sky.
Light pollution has numerous adverse effects. It disrupts natural ecosystems by altering animal behaviors, such as migration patterns, feeding habits, and reproduction cycles. It negatively impacts human health by disrupting sleep patterns and causing hormonal imbalances. Additionally, it wastes energy and contributes to carbon emissions, thereby exacerbating climate change. Moreover, light pollution can hinder astronomical observations and research, limiting our understanding of the universe.
Efforts to combat light pollution include the use of shielded lighting fixtures that minimize upward light emissions, the implementation of local lighting ordinances or regulations, and the promotion of energy-efficient lighting technologies. By reducing light pollution, we can recreate natural nightscapes, improve human well-being, conserve energy, safeguard wildlife, and enhance scientific understanding of the universe.
Etymology of LIGHT POLLUTION
The term "light pollution" is a combination of the words "light" and "pollution".
The word "light" originated from the Old English word "leoht" which means "light, daylight, brightness". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*leuhtaz" and shares its roots with various other Germanic languages such as German "Licht", Dutch "licht", and Old Norse "ljós".
The word "pollution" has its roots in the Latin word "pollutio" which means "defilement, pollution". It is derived from the verb "polluere" which means "to soil, defile, contaminate". In turn, "polluere" is composed of "pol-" meaning "before" or "on account of", and "luere" meaning "to wash".
