Light Pollution

Environment & cost

Nearly all electricity in Australia is generated by burning fossil fuels. In South Australia wasted light from light pollution costs over $5 million dollars of electricity per year and produces more than 70,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The cost world-wide runs into billions of dollars and millions of tonnes of greenhouse emissions!

In South Australia, saving the greenhouse emissions from light pollution is equivalent to taking 10,000 cars off the state's roads. Yet the cost returns from changing over to shielded, efficient light fixtures for business, security and public lighting will turnover in just a few years.

Stray light also upsets many types of wildlife and flora by causing disruption to circadian (day-night) rhythms. There is evidence that it can create stress and lowered immunity in humans.

Most bad lighting installations can be remedied by carefully considering what needs to be illuminated and installing energy efficient, properly shielded light fixtures for the purpose.