From: Isabel Olson
Columbus
My team and I feel it’s important to inform the public about light pollution.
If you’re not aware, light pollution is a big problem.
In case you don’t know what light pollution is, light pollution is an excessive amount of light — most of it being outdoor light. It not only affects the way we view the night sky, but it also affects many other things such as life, habits, inspiration, etc.
The night sky has inspired past generations, but it may also inspire future generations. If we don’t reverse the light’s effects now, then many people after us won’t be able to experience the night sky. If they can’t be inspired by the sky, future development may decline.
You probably know this, but most types of pollution are irreversible.
There’s lots of types of pollution that can’t be undone, but light pollution can be reversed. We have the ability to undo the effects of light pollution, but we have to take lots of steps.
Since light pollution is caused by misdirected and unnecessary lighting systems that we have today, we could have more lights that point downwards. The lights could have an overhanging bit that would control where the light goes. This could end up reducing most of our light pollution, but not all of it.
Light pollution is a serious problem, and that’s why we’re writing.
We want generations after us to experience the clear night sky like our ancestors did. In order to do that, we have to tell others about the seriousness of light pollution and the impact it’s making on the environment.
