impacts of light pollution
Light pollution, which affects the natural
environment, ecosystem and human health, commonly happens in urban cities like
Hong Kong. In fact, this phenomenon is spreading to elsewhere because of urbanization.
Although the urban lighting brings about light pollution, it advances Hong Kong’s economy development and tourism industry. The “special” night scene of the “Pearl of Orient” attracts millions of tourists annually, those locations and activities related with the night view of Hong Kong has always been welcomed by tourists, moreover, the "Symphony of Lights" was included in the "Guinness World Records". Table 1 shows the profit of tourism in Hong Kong was increasing because of its famous night view. However, it has more harm to Hong Kong than benefits.
On the contrast, there are lots of negative impacts of light pollution of Hong Kong. Firstly, light pollution whenever during the day or evening, still poses a threat to ecology. The over lighting during the evening will disturb the natural law of the flora and fauna and affect their growth cycle too. Some creatures which are active at night will be affected because of the strong light, for instance, disorientation lighting on sandy beaches affects the egg-laying behavior of female sea turtles. (Salmon 2003, Witherington 1997).
Secondly, light pollution damages human physiology, which includes lack of sleep, increasing the risk of suffering cancer, myopia and mood disorders. Light disturbs human’s sleep, if one have not get enough rest of the brain for a long period of time, the person will have neurasthenia. Moreover, the stronger the unwanted light at night, the greater the risk of cancer, as the strong light will inhibit the melatonin which is used to prevent cancer cell growth. Next, studies have shown that children in dark only have 10% to suffer myopia, while there are 30% of children sleep under illumination light suffers from the condition. What is more, light pollution also causes mental problems. Experts claimed that if a person stay under a fixed light without sleep for a long time will affect his “biological clock”, the person will eventually increase the chance of suffering from mood disorders. Nonetheless, too much light in cities does not prevent crime. Bright light stops the eyes adjusting to the dark. People cannot see beyond the bright light. It also darkens the shadows in which criminals can hide.
As a result, the number of complaints from the locals about light pollution is increased from 9 cases in 2003 to 361 cases in 2011, and it is still increasing continuously, reported by the government. Among the complaints, they were mainly about the district’s light pollution that affect nearby residents.
Thirdly, "light pollution is swiftly destroying the few remaining star-gazing locations in Hong Kong." Dr. Pun stated. Light pollution reduces the contrast of the sky and the stars, so the stars will be “washed out” or less visible in the sky (Figure 5). Fox (2013) reported that we normally can see about 2500 individual stars in the sky without using any special equipment, but now, we actually see just 200 to 300 from today’s suburbs, and fewer than a dozen from a typical city.
Fourthly, increase in the lighting power consumption and carbon emissions. In Hong Kong, about 27% of the electricity used for lighting, after the air-conditioning (Chart 1). Owing to those lighting facilities release heat and resulting in higher temperatures, the excessive lighting will also indirectly led an increasing demand of air conditioning, which causes double waste. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) will emit while power generating, so overuse of lighting will increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. Chart 2 shows that the demand for energy is increasing, which contributes to energy crisis and global warming.
Although the urban lighting brings about light pollution, it advances Hong Kong’s economy development and tourism industry. The “special” night scene of the “Pearl of Orient” attracts millions of tourists annually, those locations and activities related with the night view of Hong Kong has always been welcomed by tourists, moreover, the "Symphony of Lights" was included in the "Guinness World Records". Table 1 shows the profit of tourism in Hong Kong was increasing because of its famous night view. However, it has more harm to Hong Kong than benefits.
On the contrast, there are lots of negative impacts of light pollution of Hong Kong. Firstly, light pollution whenever during the day or evening, still poses a threat to ecology. The over lighting during the evening will disturb the natural law of the flora and fauna and affect their growth cycle too. Some creatures which are active at night will be affected because of the strong light, for instance, disorientation lighting on sandy beaches affects the egg-laying behavior of female sea turtles. (Salmon 2003, Witherington 1997).
Secondly, light pollution damages human physiology, which includes lack of sleep, increasing the risk of suffering cancer, myopia and mood disorders. Light disturbs human’s sleep, if one have not get enough rest of the brain for a long period of time, the person will have neurasthenia. Moreover, the stronger the unwanted light at night, the greater the risk of cancer, as the strong light will inhibit the melatonin which is used to prevent cancer cell growth. Next, studies have shown that children in dark only have 10% to suffer myopia, while there are 30% of children sleep under illumination light suffers from the condition. What is more, light pollution also causes mental problems. Experts claimed that if a person stay under a fixed light without sleep for a long time will affect his “biological clock”, the person will eventually increase the chance of suffering from mood disorders. Nonetheless, too much light in cities does not prevent crime. Bright light stops the eyes adjusting to the dark. People cannot see beyond the bright light. It also darkens the shadows in which criminals can hide.
As a result, the number of complaints from the locals about light pollution is increased from 9 cases in 2003 to 361 cases in 2011, and it is still increasing continuously, reported by the government. Among the complaints, they were mainly about the district’s light pollution that affect nearby residents.
Thirdly, "light pollution is swiftly destroying the few remaining star-gazing locations in Hong Kong." Dr. Pun stated. Light pollution reduces the contrast of the sky and the stars, so the stars will be “washed out” or less visible in the sky (Figure 5). Fox (2013) reported that we normally can see about 2500 individual stars in the sky without using any special equipment, but now, we actually see just 200 to 300 from today’s suburbs, and fewer than a dozen from a typical city.
Fourthly, increase in the lighting power consumption and carbon emissions. In Hong Kong, about 27% of the electricity used for lighting, after the air-conditioning (Chart 1). Owing to those lighting facilities release heat and resulting in higher temperatures, the excessive lighting will also indirectly led an increasing demand of air conditioning, which causes double waste. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) will emit while power generating, so overuse of lighting will increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. Chart 2 shows that the demand for energy is increasing, which contributes to energy crisis and global warming.