Ali se tudi vi pritožujete nad računi elektrike, medtem ko še vedno nepotrebno puščate prižgane luči? Na žalost s tem povzročate škodo sebi in drugim.
Svetlobno onesnaževanje je emisija svetlobe iz umetnih virov, ki povečuje naravno osvetljenost okolja. Strokovnjaki ocenjujejo, da v Evropi na novo osvetlimo približno 1 kvadratni kilometer na dan. Ljudje zaradi brezbrižne uporabe umetne svetlobe postopoma vodijo, do prihodnosti, kjer bo noč tako svetla, kot je danes dan. Torej bomo lahko knjige brali tudi ponoči brez luči. Ta prihodnost ironično ni svetla in moramo narediti nekaj, da se to spremeni.
Reševanje problema se začne s tem, da se lotimo najšibkejšega člena. V našem primeru je to osvetljevanje javnih objektov, kot so cerkve, spomeniki in oglaševalni panoji. Večina teh objektov je osvetljena od spodaj navzgor. Pri temu gre pogosto od 60% do 80% celotnega svetlobnega toka mimo fasade v nebo in okolico.
Ta pobegli žarek zmoti bioritem mnogih živalskih vrst in prav tako ljudi. Medtem ko svetloba privlači nekatere živali in jih s tem ujame v neskončno kroženje okoli svetlobe, druge odganja in s tem zmanjšuje njihov naravni habitat.
Svetloba ima največji vpliv na žuželke, to pa sproži verižno reakcijo in s tem vpliva tudi na druge živalske vrste, kot je netopir, ki je odvisen od prehranjevanja z žuželkami. Žuželke uporabljajo Luno, kot vodilo saj je vir svetlobe.
Človekovo množično ustvarjanje virov umetne svetlobe zmoti tako dnevni ritem in selitve žuželk, kot prehranjevanje in razmnoževanje, saj žuželke to svetlobo vidijo, kot nešteto Lun, ki v večini vodijo do njihove smrti. Množično umiranje žuželk in osvetljenost javnih objektov, neposredno vplivajo na netopirje.
Osvetljenost javnih objektov vpliva na to, da se samice netopirjev na lov odpravijo kasneje kot sicer in tako zamudijo večerni mrak, ko je naokoli največ žuželk in bi se lahko najedle. Slabše nahranjene matere slabše skrbijo tudi za mladiče. Posledično rastejo počasneje, zato bodo tudi težje preživeli.
Prav tako svetloba negativno vpliva na človeški ritem ter zdravje. Za naše zdravje je izrednega pomena bio – ritem dneva in noči, kar imenujemo cirkadialni ritem. Zaradi prevelike količine umetne svetlobe med spanjem, pride do prekinitve tvorjenja melatonina, imenovanega tudi hormon spanja.
Melatonin deluje antioksidativno in antikancerogeno ter vpliva na kakovost našega spanja ter dobrega počutja. Pomankanje melatonina lahko pripelje do različnih bolezni na stara leta.
Menimo, da moramo zmanjšati nepotrebno uporabo svetlobe, če želimo obdržati vse vrste živali ter zmanjšati delež bolezni povezanih z umetno svetlobo. Verjameva pa tudi, da se vsi bojimo prihodnosti v kateri je omejen dostop do energije. Nekaj najinih rešitev je: bele LED svetilke, ki so velika grožnja (saj sevajo modro svetlobo, ki prekine tvorbo melatonina že ob majhni izpostavljenosti), nadomestimo s svetili, ki odsevajo toplo (rumeno) barvo; ugašanje osvetlitve npr. Trgovine, ko ni obiskovalcev; Objekti za oglaševanje, naj bodo majhni in pravilno osvetljeni, saj lahko zagotovimo le to, da svetilke ne svetijo nad vodoravnico, kar je največji problem panojev. Večina znakov in reklamnih panojev sveti 50% nad vodoravnico.
Vsak pobegli žarek svetlobe je dodaten udarec po vaši denarnici. Zato vas vabiva, da se skupaj potrudimo in s tem končamo pritoževanje nad visokimi računi. Razumimo, da so življenja živali pomembna prav tako kakor življenja ljudi. Moramo si zapomniti, da ta dejanja vodijo do svetlejše prihodnosti, ki pa ne rabi biti dobesedno svetla.
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ENGLISH:
Do you also complain about electricity bills while still unnecessarily leaving the lights on?
Unfortunately, by doing so, you are causing harm to yourself and others.
Light pollution is the emission of light from man-made sources that increases the natural illumination of the environment. Experts estimate that in Europe, approximately 1 square kilometre is newly illuminated each day. Due to the careless use of man-made light, people are gradually heading towards a future where the night will be as bright as daylight. So, we might be able to read books at night without any additional lights. Ironically, this future is not bright, and we must take action to change it.
Addressing the problem begins by tackling the weakest link. In our case, it is the lighting of public structures such as churches, monuments, and billboards. Most of these structures are illuminated from below, with often 60% to 80% of the total light flux escaping past the facade into the sky and surroundings.
This stray light disrupts the biorhythms of many animal species, including humans. While light attracts some animals, trapping them to wander around the light, it repels others, reducing their natural habitat.
Light has the greatest impact on insects, triggering a chain reaction that also affects other animal species, such as bats, which depend on feeding on bugs. Insects use the moon as orientation since it is a source of light.
Light sources made by humans disrupt both the daily rhythm and the migrations of insects, affecting their feeding and reproduction. Insects see this as daylight, which in most cases leads to their death. The mass dying of insects and the illumination of public structures also directly impact bats.
The illumination of public structures causes female bats to start hunting later than usual, missing the peak evening hours when there are the most insects. Poorly nourished ancestors also do not provide as good of a care for their offspring, resulting in slower growth and increased difficulty in survival.
Light also negatively affects the human rhythm and health. The circadian rhythm, also known as the day-night biological rhythm, is crucial for our well-being. Excessive man-made light during sleep disrupts the production of melatonin, which is known as the sleep hormone.
Melatonin acts as an antioxidant and anticarcinogen, influencing the quality of our sleep and well-being. Melatonin deficiency can lead to various diseases in the old age.
CONCLUSION:
We believe that reducing the unnecessary use of light is essential to preserve all animal species and decrease the appearance of diseases associated with artificial illumination. However, we also acknowledge the fear of a future with limited access to energy. Some of our proposed solutions include replacing white LED lights, because they emit blue light that disrupts melatonin production even with minimal exposure. We suggest replacing it with warm (yellow) colour-reflecting lights; turning off lighting in places like stores when not in use; ensuring that advertising objects are small and correctly illuminated, avoiding lights shining above the horizon, which is the main issue with billboards. Most signs and advertising panels emit 50% of light above it.
Every stray ray of light is another hit to your wallet. However, we encourage everyone to put in the effort and end the complaining about high bills. We acknowledge that the animals’ lives matter as much as the lives of human beings. We have to remember that these actions lead to a brighter future—but it doesn’t have to be bright in the literal sense of the word.