We're Wasting LEDs' Potential to Save Our Night Skies
Excessive lighting leads to health and safety issues.
1History of Night Lighting
London and Paris led the expansion of street lighting in the 19th century. Today, these cities represent both the magnitude of the current problem and a future lit by trillions of LED chips.
2Rise of LEDs
LED technology, invented by Nick Holonyak in 1962, has exploded in recent years. By 2019, more than half of U.S. streetlights were LEDs, and this number is expected to exceed 90% by 2030.
3Energy Savings
LEDs convert electricity into light, reducing energy consumption by up to 90%. This allows municipalities to achieve immediate energy savings and lower costs.
4Problem of Excessive Lighting
In cities like London, lighting levels are excessive, with unshielded light blasting in all directions. This situation invites dangers rather than enhancing safety.
5Safety Illusion
Research shows that high lumen output does not reduce crime rates. Excessive light strains human eyes and digital sensors, misleading safety perceptions.
6Health Impacts
Excessive lighting disrupts circadian rhythms, impedes melatonin production, and can lead to obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
7Biological Effects of LEDs
New research indicates that blue light from LEDs suppresses melatonin production and increases health risks.
8Historic and Modern Lighting
Trafalgar Square features historic gas lamps alongside modern LEDs, showcasing how old and new technologies coexist.
9Balance of Light and Darkness
Simon Thorp conducts light measurements in Trafalgar Square, emphasizing the importance of balancing light and darkness.
10Future Lighting
LED technology, with its controllable and tunable features, will form the foundation of future lighting.
11Energy Efficiency and Environment
LEDs offer an environmentally friendly lighting solution, reducing global energy consumption through energy efficiency.
12Protecting the Night Sky
Proper use of LED technology can protect the night sky, reducing negative impacts on human health and the environment.