Report calls for artificial light to be named a pollutant citing links between depression and anxiety

A report has highlighted the hidden impact of artificial light on human health, wildlife and the natural environment – and calls for artificial light to be legally recognised as a pollutant.

Published by the Royal Astronomical Society – with contributions from Dr Chris Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Derby – the study calls for action following a series of discussions involving scientists, MPs and campaign groups focused on protecting dark skies and reducing artificial lighting.

While artificial lighting plays an important role in helping people navigate darker evenings, the report warns that excessive and poorly designed lighting can have consequences for human health and the natural environment.

Evidence suggests that exposure to light pollution and a lack of natural sunlight can lead to poor metabolism and the development of diseases such as dementia, type 2 diabetes and retinal problems. The report also highlights evidence suggesting links between a person’s mood and increases in depression and anxiety.

Dr Barnes, who contributed specifically on the psychological impacts of light pollution, said:

“During the winter months, darkness becomes part of our daily lives earlier in the afternoon, and we are reminded just how much modern life depends on artificial light.

“Artificial light at night has completely transformed modern life, but there is now growing evidence that it can contribute to poorer physical wellbeing, as well as increased risk of anxiety and depression. 

“However, the direct impact of light pollution on people’s physical and psychological health is not the only issue. The impact of artificial light at night also extends to our views of and connection to the night sky, resulting in the loss of meaningful experiences filled with awe and wonder.

“In many urban areas, people are growing up with extremely limited access to stars, natural darkness and biodiversity-rich night-time environments. For many children, experiences that previous generations may have taken for granted – such as seeing the Milky Way or nocturnal creatures like owls or badgers – are becoming increasingly uncommon.

“As a result, we risk losing not only biodiversity and our view of the cosmos, but also an important psychological relationship with the natural world.”

The report also suggests measures that could reduce artificial light impact immediately, including the use of the International Dark Sky Association’s responsible lighting principles: useful, targeted, low-level, controlled, and warm in colour.

Dr Barnes added:

“One of the most important messages from the report is that positive change is highly achievable by anyone.

“Light pollution is one of the few forms of pollution that can often be reduced immediately through simple actions such as designing lighting in ways that balance safety, wellbeing and environmental protection.”

Dr Barnes’s work forms part of the wider endeavours of the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group, an internationally renowned team of researchers, which studies how people relate psychologically and emotionally to nature – and how strengthening that connection can improve both human wellbeing and environmental behaviour.

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