Global artificial light pollution surges 16% since 2014, with major health and ecological consequences
A study published in Nature found that artificial light emissions at night increased by approximately 16% globally between 2014 and 2022, with light intensity rising an average of 9% in brightening areas. The growth is concentrated in fast-developing regions of Asia, particularly China and India, while some European countries have reduced light pollution. Excessive artificial light disrupts human sleep cycles and hormonal balance while devastating nocturnal wildlife, from insects to migratory birds.
According to research published in Nature, global artificial light emissions at night increased by about 16% from 2014 through 2022, with light intensity rising an average of 9% in areas experiencing increased brightening. The most dramatic increases occurred in economically growing regions of Asia, particularly China and India, while the United States saw the greatest increases on the West Coast due to population and economic growth in California. In contrast, Europe has reduced overall light intensity by 4% since 2014, with notable declines in France (33%), the United Kingdom (22%), and the Netherlands (21%). The expansion of artificial light poses significant health risks to humans, including disruption of circadian rhythms, hormonal imbalances, and increased risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, depression, and obesity. The ecological impact is equally severe: more than half of all species are nocturnal and have adapted to natural light cycles over millennia, and artificial light now kills billions of insects annually, disrupts migratory bird navigation, and shrinks habitats for nocturnal mammals.
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- Deutsche WelleCenter
Blinded by the light pollution: Cities seek to restore night
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