health effects of light pollution

Light pollution disrupts the natural darkness of night, affecting both humans and wildlife. For humans, excessive artificial light can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, stress, and increased health risks like heart disease and depression. It also hampers our circadian rhythms—the internal clock that regulates sleep and activity. For animals, it can disorient nocturnal creatures, interfere with migration, reproduction, and feeding behaviors. Overall, light pollution reduces the quality of sleep, impacts mental health, and harms ecosystems, highlighting the importance of responsible lighting to protect health and the environment.