Why Should You Care?
Most people don’t realize the massive impact that light pollution has on their surrounding ecosystem and the living organisms within it, including humans! Not only is light pollution harmful to human beings and virtually all living organisms, it is also a nuisance and it even takes away the beauty of the night-sky. Studies have been conducted that show how that people living in areas with high light pollution are at a greater risk for insomnia, depression, stress, and even certain cancers; and humans are not the only ones that are being impacted by light pollution. Many species depend on the night’s darkness to migrate and reproduce. Light pollution even impacts zooplankton which is a critical organism that provides a great deal of the earth's oxygen. Finally, light pollution is a bothersome and it is taking away the night-sky. Excess artificial light, when not directed where it is needed can intrude where it is unwanted, like in a bedroom window. On top of the nuisance, light pollution takes away a persons ability to see the splendor of a clear night sky. Most people have never seen the Milky Way, our home galaxy, because of excess artificial nighttime lighting. Without a change, we risk losing our night-sky altogether.
Risk Outline:
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Negatively impacts human health
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Disrupts migration and reproductive processes
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Disturbs zooplankton which provide a massive amount of the oxygen we breathe
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Intrudes where unwanted, light through a bedroom window
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Losing our beautiful nightscapes
