Like many homeowners, you are taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint at home. Every week you diligently recycle glass, metal, paper and plastic waste. Replace all incandescent light bulbs in your home with energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. However, you may be unknowingly contributing to carbon emissions and interfering with delicate ecosystems through light pollution. Light pollution, unlike other forms of contamination and waste, remains largely overlooked and unregulated in industrialized countries. Learn more about the cause, different types and effects of light pollution and how regulating your use of outdoor lighting can help reduce this form of pollution. What is light pollution? Light pollution, also known as photopollution or light pollution, is the excessive, improper, or invasive use of outdoor artificial lighting that threatens our environment and energy resources, as well as wildlife, humans, and astronomical research. Artificial lights alter the color and contrast of the night sky, eclipse natural starlight, and disrupt circadian rhythms (the 24-hour body clock of most organisms). As the demand for artificial lighting increases every year, the spread of pollution also increases. Photopollution is not a new problem. In the early 20th century, light pollution was introduced as large cities began adopting commercial and residential electric lighting. Over the past 50 years, as more and more countries have become affluent and urbanized, the demand for lighting has increased and pollution has spread beyond city limits and into suburban and rural areas. This form of pollution now affects more developed areas such as North America, Europe and Asia. The East Coast, extending from Boston, M...... middle of paper ...... ion detector sensitivity needed to prevent lights from turning on and off unnecessarily.5. Get certified Use IDA-certified Dark Sky lighting, designed to minimize glare, light leakage and sky brightness. If you reside near the beach or coast, use certified Turtle Safe lighting that is shielded, low mounted, and produces long wavelength lighting.6. Turn it offTurn off all unnecessary outdoor lights after you go home for the night or before you go to bed to avoid unnecessary dusk-to-dawn lights. Remember that outdoor lighting should have a purpose. So if you don't use it, turn it off. You can take additional steps to reduce light pollution in your home and community by closing curtains and blinds to prevent light spills, educating neighbors about sky-friendly lighting practices, and proposing lighting ordinances. to your local and state governments.