Towards a bright future? The systems

intelligent perspective on the

management of light pollution

Jari Lyytimäki

Finnish Environment Institute SYKE,

Environmental Policy Centre

Future Infinite Academic:

Sustainable Futures in a Changing Climate

1112 June 2014, Helsinki, Finland

Photo ©Moon-WillowStock

● Prevention of observation of

celestial objects caused by artificial

light

● Artificial light that alters the natural

patterns of light and dark in

ecosystems

● Light-at-night that causes adverse

health effects

● Artificial lighting that may cause

harm to humans or nature

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What is light pollution?

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Why is light pollution important?

● A global change: neglected ”grand challenge”

● Light emissions are increasing

● Causing various adverse effects on

○ Astronomy

○ Human health

○ Ecosystems

○ Culture

○ Economy

● Affected by rapid technological change (LEDs)

● Largely uncontrolled environmental stressor

3.1

2.2

01

4

Alaotsikko tai ingressi

The most easy-to-see global change

● Ensimmäinen taso

○ toinen taso

• kolmas taso

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Material & method

● Online survey in Finland (Nov. 2011-Feb. 2012, N=2,053)

● 20 likert-scale statements focusing on views about light

pollution and use of lighting

● Three open ended questions:

○ When and where have you experienced light pollution

as being particularly disturbing? What was the source of

artificial light?

○ In what kinds of places have you experienced natural

dimness or darkness as pleasant?

○ Have you attempted to reduce the light pollution or

exposure to the disturbing light? How?

The most common sources of light pollution

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Type of action Examples

Minimizing the

exposure to light

by changing own

location

Avoiding over-illuminated places (e.g. city centres)

Changing the place of residence to the countryside

Jogging and outdoor exercising in areas with no lighting

Keeping insides in order to avoid disturbing light

Minimizing the

exposure to light

by forestalling

light trespass or

glare

Use of blinding curtains in windows

Use of sleeping eye patches

Building constructs or planting trees or bushes that block the light

Using sunglasses or hats when driving or walking.

Covering the signal lights of electric devices

Closing the eyes or looking away from light source

Consumer

choices

Avoiding the purchase of powerful lights and decorative lights

Boycotting of fruits that have been grown in greenhouses

Favouring of public transportation

Prudent use of

lights

Switching off outdoor lights during the night hours

Use of time switches, movement detectors and dimmers

Avoidance of blinking LED-lights (e.g. bicycle lights)

Careful use of car headlights and fog lights

Favouring dim and comfortable overall lighting

Using bright lights only where and when absolutely necessary

Type of action Examples

Reducing the

need for

illumination

Timing of outdoor activities according the natural light

Making use of the moonlight

Using reflectors to mark safe routes

Avoidance of night-time car use

Getting

accustomed to

natural light

Teaching the children to cope without extensive lighting

Learning away from unnecessary fear of darkness

Spending a week without artificial light

Favouring natural sources of light and candle light

Influencing the

lighting

decisions

Participation in housing cooperative boards

Direct contacts with municipal authorities

Direct contacts with those responsible of lighting (e.g. sport fields)

Giving comments to the environmental permit processes

Increasing

awareness about

light pollution

Writing letters to the editor to the newspapers

Informing decision makers

Discussions with neighbours and work colleagues

Getting attention to the term “light pollution”

Towards a systems intelligent light

pollution management?

● Systems intelligence emphasizes personal and active

involvement with systems characterised by complex cross-

scale interactions and non-linear feedbacks

● Asks how an individual can understand the system and

change it

● Search for systemic leverage points opening up positive

development paths

● Can be seen as an approach for preventing and managing

conflicts that arise when different preferences of the use of

outdoor space collide

● A focus on systems intelligence on a household level does

not imply that the individual citizens are alone responsible

for systemic changes.

http://systemsintelligence.aalto.fi/

D. Robert CC BY-SA 2.0

Systems intelligence approach

may help to address:

● Rebound effects related to increasing use of

cost-efficient lighting technologies

● Reverse tragedy of commons related to the

darkness and lighting

● Shifting baselines related to public

understanding of night environment

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“For eons people have gazed at the

skies and seen into their souls”

Lisa Simpson

The Simpsons, Season 14, Episode 16: “Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky”.

References

● Lyytimäki J., Rinne J. (2013). Voices for the

darkness: Online survey on public

perceptions on light pollution as an

environmental problem. Journal of Integrative

Environmental Sciences 10(2): 127-139.

● Lyytimäki J. (2013). Nature's nocturnal

services: light pollution as a non-recognised

challenge for ecosystem services research

and management. Ecosystem Services 3:

e44-e48.

● Rinne J., Lyytimäki, J. (2012). Vaivaako

valosaaste? Verkkokyselyn tulosten

yhteenveto. Suomen ympäristökeskuksen

raportteja 24/2012. Suomen

ympäristökeskus, Helsinki.

http://hdl.handle.net/10138/39849

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Benjamin Stäudinger CC-BY-2.0