Light Pollution and Animals

When we think of pollution, we usually think of dirty air or water. But too much artificial light at night is a kind of pollution too. Light pollution comes from streetlights, buildings, and signs. It can confuse birds, sea turtles, insects, and many other animals that need darkness.

Animals in the Dark

Many animals depend on natural darkness to survive. Baby sea turtles use moonlight reflecting on the ocean to find their way to the water after hatching. Bright lights from buildings can confuse them and lead them the wrong way. Birds migrating at night can become disoriented by city lights and crash into buildings.

Turning Down the Lights

There are simple ways to reduce light pollution. Cities can use shields on streetlights so the light points down instead of up. Turning off unnecessary lights at night helps too. Some cities have lights-out programs during bird migration season. Using warmer, dimmer lights is better for wildlife than bright, white ones.

Fun Facts

• More than 80 percent of the world's population lives under light-polluted skies.
• Millions of birds die each year in North America from crashing into brightly lit buildings at night.
• Fireflies are having trouble finding mates because artificial light interferes with their flashing signals.

Did You Know?

Light pollution is so widespread that one-third of all people on Earth can no longer see the Milky Way at night!