Light Pollution

The problem

Glare

A proportion of street-lights, car-yard and security lights are chosen and installed with little consideration for efficiency and aiming. Glare from these lights can shine directly into the eyes creating discomfort. This can make it difficult for the eye to adjust effectively to changing levels of illumination thereby compromising night vision.

Light Trespass

Uncontrolled light that spills outside the area that it is designated to illuminate and onto neighbouring properties. This often creates a nuisance, detracts from amenity and wastes energy and money.

Skyglow

Light that escapes upward from unshielded light fixtures or lights that are indiscriminately aimed upwards. This light is completely wasted, scattering in the atmosphere creating skyglow and detracts from the beauty of the starry sky at night. In particular, growing skyglow is compromising the effectiveness of many of the world's great astronomical observatories that provide for us a window to the universe!

Many constellations as seen from urban areas are disappearing due to escalating light pollution.

Glary globe-lights at a car park waste light sideways and upwards and contribute to skyglow