Light pollution refers to the excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive use of artificial (usually outdoor) light. Some key points about light pollution:

1. Definition: Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, intrusive, or excessive artificial (usually outdoor) light. It is often referred to as the “other carbon dioxide.”

2. Causes: The main causes of light pollution include street lights, commercial properties, industrial facilities, residential lighting, vehicle headlights, and illuminated recreational areas.

3. Effects:

   • It disrupts natural cycles of plants and animals, affecting their behavior and health.
   • It reduces visibility of the night sky, making it harder to observe stars and other celestial objects.
   • It wastes energy and increases carbon emissions from electricity generation.
   • It can have negative impacts on human health, leading to sleep disruption and other issues.

4. Types:

   • Glare – Excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
   • Skyglow – Brightening of the night sky over populated areas
   • Light trespass – Light falling where it is not intended or needed
   • Clutter – Excessive grouping of light sources, creating complexity

5. Mitigation:

   • Use energy-efficient and properly shielded outdoor lighting
   • Adopt policies and regulations to control excessive outdoor lighting
   • Raise public awareness about the impacts of light pollution
   • Promote the concept of “Dark Skies” in urban planning and development

Overall, light pollution is a growing environmental issue that has negative impacts on ecology, energy use, and human health. Addressing it requires both individual and community-level efforts.