Birds, insects, mammals, and even humans, evolved a circadian rhythm. The balance between day and night has tipped decidedly toward 24 hour daytime. Below are estimated impacts by the International Dark Sky Association.
Light Pollution News
A bi-monthly podcast that looks at all of the topics in and around our nighttime environment.
Host, Bill McGeeney, is joined by three guests to help walk you through the news around how artificial light at night impacts human culture, crime, and our environment. The path to neighborhood friendly starry night solutions begin with being a more informed you!
Featured Episodes
September 2025: Quit Messing With My Meridian Flip!
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Frank Turina, Night Sky Resource Center.
- Steve Mariconda, MPH.
Today, we have a lot of policy related activity. Smart policies getting set up in Virginia, an amusement park that apparently flipped the bird to migrating birds, and reading the fine print in Pittsburgh’s new LED conversion.
Listen to all this and more as we have a new voice join us today – Mr. Steve Mariconda and an old friend returns, Mr. Frank Turina!
You’ll definitely want to check out this one. A new Light Pollution News is coming up, next!
September 2025: 10 Point Scale!
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Frank Turina, Night Sky Resource Center.
- Steve Mariconda, MPH.
An interesting study looks at what happens when we frame the ideas around light pollution differently. More evidence for metabolism related disruption from light at night in circadian rhythms. And what is actually the biggest offender robbing us of vital sleep and our night sky!
I welcome back to the show, a dark sky advocate who’s helping to right the night outside of New York City, Mr. Steve Mariconda, and, just in time for some environmental talk, Mr. Frank Turina rejoins us!
A lot of good stuff in here today! Be sure to settle in, you’re going to like this one!
October 2025: 50 Tons a Day!
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Yana Yakushina, Lawyer / Researcher
- James Lowenthal, Astronomer.
- Vicky Derksen, Night Sky Tourist.
What a show we have for you today! The FCC wants to keep the National Environmental Policy Act away from the Space Economy; the US Open showcases how good sports lighting can be; and how do you define ‘pollution’?
Listen to all this and more! With me today is Yana Yakushina, so you know it’s going to be a good one! Also here is astronomer, James Lowenethal, and host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast, Vicky Derksen!
Hang on! A new Light Pollution News is coming right up!
Helpful Tips!
Solution to Reduce Light Pollution: 10 Easy Ways
When we start thinking about the issue of light pollution, like many other environmental issues, it can seem like an impossible problem to fix. Luckily, light pollution is technically the most easily reversible form of pollution. If you are interested in reducing light pollution, the best way to start is at home. We have 10 easy steps you can follow to inventory your home lighting to decrease the amount of light pollution coming from your home.
How Many Lumens Do You Need for Outdoor Lighting?
When installing or replacing outdoor lights, brightness of the lights (lumens) is an important factor that needs to be considered. The amount of lumens needed will depend on the application. This will range from 12-800 lumens depending on the purpose of the light.
We recommend going on the lower end when possible, this will not only save on energy costs, but it will help to decrease your contribution to light pollution. You can also add additional lights, or go with a brighter light bulb if you find you need a brighter light for your outdoor lighting.
Best Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard Landscape.
Many people put a lot of time, money, and effort into their outdoor spaces. Lights are a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space at all times of the day. We believe that less is more when it comes to lighting. Too much lighting and everything will be bathed in a generic glow, the play of light and shadows allows for a much more dramatic effect and will allow certain areas and features to be highlighted. We have some great dark sky friendly lighting options for all your outdoor lighting needs.
Do We Need All Of That Light?
Protect Our Night
Annual Estimated Cost of Exterior Lighting
50B USD
US Department of Energy Estimated Percentage Resulting in Wasted Light
99%
Annual American Consumption of Outdoor Lighting.
308 tWH
Light Pollution in Numbers
Excess and Unnecessary Light Have Consequences.
875,000,000
Trees Needed to Offset CO2 Emissions from Outdoor Lighting in the US Per Year, via the International Dark Sky Association.
99%
Americans and Europeans who can’t see the Milky Way, per National Geographic.
1,000,000,000
Estimated bird deaths annually due to factors including building lights, per NPR
2x
Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans are 2x more likely to live in heavily light polluted environments according to 2020 Study.