Valohäiriöt

Valohäiriöt, often referred to as light pollution, encompass the excessive or misdirected artificial light at night. This phenomenon includes issues such as glare, light trespass, sky glow, and clutter. Glare is excessive brightness that can cause visual discomfort. Light trespass occurs when light spills into areas where it is not intended or needed, such as a neighbor's property. Sky glow is the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas, making it harder to see stars. Clutter involves confusing groupings of light sources.

The primary causes of valohäiriöt are poorly designed or unnecessary outdoor lighting, including streetlights, commercial lighting, and residential security lights. Inefficient fixtures that emit light in all directions, rather than directing it downwards where it is needed, contribute significantly to the problem. Over-illumination, using more light than is functionally required for safety or visibility, is also a major factor.

Valohäiriöt have several negative consequences. They disrupt natural ecosystems by affecting the behavior of nocturnal animals, impacting migration patterns, predator-prey relationships, and reproductive cycles. For humans, excessive light can interfere with sleep patterns, potentially leading to health issues. Astronomers are particularly affected, as sky glow obscures celestial objects and hinders astronomical research. Furthermore, light pollution represents a waste of energy and resources, contributing to carbon emissions. Mitigation strategies include using shielded light fixtures, employing warmer color temperature lights, implementing dimming controls, and simply reducing the amount of light used when and where it is not needed.