Light pollution and its impact on the natural environment

Abstract

In recent years, the pollution of the night environment with artificial light, referred to as light pollution, has become increasingly noticed and treated as one of the civilization threats. Different categories of light pollution are distinguished which directly or indirectly affect the natural environment, including affects on humans. Among the many aspects of the impact of light pollution, the following can be identified: • the effect of light pollution on flora and fauna; • the effect of light pollution on astronomical research; • the impact of architectural management with regard to limiting light pollution; • meteorological aspects of light pollution; • methods of reducing light pollution and minimising its effects; • dark sky tourism in the context of light pollution; • shaping public awareness of light pollution; • economic aspects of light pollution. As a result, an increasing number of scientists, including biologists, ecologists and astronomers, as well as architects and representatives of local governments, are interested in the issue of protection against light pollution or reducing its impact on the environment. Nevertheless, literature on the subject remains dominated by works related to only one specific scope of this impact. Noting the multidisciplinary nature of the subject as well as the need to ensure the exchange of information between researchers representing various fields of science in different countries, in 2021, the first multi-author monograph “Ecological and astronomical aspects of light pollution” was published at Cracow University of Technology, addressing various aspects of the issue of light pollution. This monograph, which is a continuation of the topic initiated by the above-mentioned publication, contains chapters discussing both the issues of measuring the level of light pollution, as well as ways to reduce it and its impact on living organisms. At this point, thanks should be given to the people who made this monograph possible.