Light Pollution: Not The Brightest Idea

Where are the stars? In modern day Arkansas, an individual can pick out a few stars in the night sky with ease. Though, this may not always be the case. Especially in dense cities, though all around the world, light pollution plagues our towns, ecosystems, and skies. Simply, National Geographic defines light pollution as “the excessive or inappropriate use of outdoor artificial light” and several scientists and studies agree it is the cause of many issues. Scientists believe light pollution can and should be prevented (Falchi). 

Light pollution is tampering with animals’ way of life. Rather it be immigration patterns, wakesleep habits, or habitat formation, animals’ basic routines are being ravaged. It is reported that insects, butterflies, birds, and reptiles’ behavior has a strong correlation to excessive light at night (Heilig). For example, baby sea turtles have become confused during migration on the beaches, and often die (National Geographic). 

Additionally, humans’ sleep is suffering. Skins’ molecules called opsins are receptors of light, meaning that putting on a sleep mask may not suffice (Suh). Picture this, trying to fall asleep and the outside street light creeping through your window, resting on your skin. Though you have a sleep mask on and cannot see it, you are still struggling to find slumber. In truth, a sleeping mask will not halt light pollution’s effects. This is because your skin, a photosensitive system similar to that of the eye, also helps to tell your brain when to wake and sleep (Heilig). 

The small benefits do not outweigh the overwhelming drawbacks of light pollution. Although street sight and building safety (often for insurance purposes) is important, city planners and architects should be more considerate of the ecological and physiological effects. Implementations such as using warm light instead of cool light, motion sensors, and attaching shield fixtures can help remediate the spread of the ever growing issue.  

Join the cause. Organizations such as International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve have been working since 1988 and 2017 respectively to raise favor and awareness for the dark sky. There is also the Arkansas Natural Sky Association which holds a festival in September.

Sources:

“Dark-Sky Festival | Arkansas Natural Sky Association.” Darkskyarkansas.org, 2025, darkskyarkansas.org/darkskyfestival/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Falchi, Fabio, and Salvador Bará. “Light Pollution Is Skyrocketing.” Science, vol. 379, no. 6629, 2023, pp. 234–35, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adf4952.

Heilig, P. “Light Pollution.” Spektrum Der Augenheilkunde, vol. 24, no. 5, 1 Oct. 2010, pp. 267–270, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00717-010-0440-8. Accessed 14 June 2025.

Leonard, Pat. “Light Pollution Threatens Coastal Marine Systems | Cornell Chronicle.” News.cornell.edu, 13 Sept. 2023, news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/09/light-pollution-threatens-coastal-marine-systems.

National Geographic Society. “Light Pollution.” Education.nationalgeographic.org, National Geographic, 15 July 2022, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-pollution/.

Suh, Susie, et al. “The Expression of Opsins in the Human Skin and Its Implications for Photobiomodulation: A Systematic Review.” National Library of Medicine, vol. 36, no. 5, 19 May 2020, pp. 329–338, https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12578.

• Grace Ann Conn, Hot Springs, AR, 12th Grade, Instagram-@its.graceannc