Light pollution is the easiest pollution to fix — so why aren't we doing it?
Our night sky is rapidly disappearing. "Light pollution is rooted in long-standing global trends of ever-increasing urbanization, industrialization and population growth." "The causes of light pollution are many, all related to our planet's global changes over the last two centuries, and especially over the past few decades," Andrea Bonisoli Alquati, an associate professor of biology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, told Salon by email. Observing that he uses the term "politically" to refer to "the broad sense of involvement in society," Alquati urged that people can support projects like the Dark Sky Initiatives, as well as support regulations that reduce light pollution. "We can express support and participate in campaigns that educate about the risks of light pollution to human and ecosystem health, and advocate for responsible lighting, and for turning lights off in our cities, especially at times that are crucial for the activities of organisms, such as during bird migration," Alquati explained.
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