‘Our Power, Our Planet’ was the theme for World Earth Day this year, with Environment Haliburton! (EH!) drafting in a pair of Trent University student researchers to discuss the impacts of artificial light on the environment around Paudash Lake.
Ella Honey and Angus McBride are pursuing master’s degrees in freshwater ecology and spent some time in the Cardiff area last fall. The pair told an April 22 webinar their focus was on how light pollution affects the natural environment, wildlife, and human life on the lake.
They were approached by the Paudash Lake Conservation Association (PCLA) last year, with the group challenging them to investigate ways to reduce the effects of artificial light at night, or ALAN, Honey said.
“They identified light pollution as a concern with both ecological and atmospheric,” Honey explained, noting wildlife can be negatively impacted and displaced.
The students studied three locations on the lake in August and September and distributed a survey through PCLA membership. The case study involved assessing insect attraction to four types of white light, ranging from warm to cool. They found fewer insects were attracted to warm wavelength light, with numbers increasing through neutral to cool light.
“Using warm lights may reduce insect attraction,” McBride said, noting artificial light may affect the nocturnal behaviour of insects, impacting their interactions with cottages and their broader roles within the ecosystem.
McBride noted insects are a foundational part of the circle of life, particularly for aquatic creatures.
“Increased attraction to cottage properties reduces the number available to be eaten,” he said. “This impacts fish, birds, amphibians, leading to possible reductions in their populations.”
While the pair didn’t have hard numbers to show how many properties utilized bright lights on their property after dark, Honey said they observed, “many cottages with unnecessary outdoor lighting, contributing to scattered light.”
She said of the 72 people who responded to their survey, about two-thirds agreed or strongly agreed that artificial lights negatively impact the environment.
Humans impacted too
Honey said low-intensity, low blue-light emission LED and CFL lights are the least attractive type of lights and can negatively impact humans too.
“Blue light can disrupt our circadian rhythm,” Honey said, noting how our internal clock, responsible for releasing hormones and mood regulation, can be thrown off.
Research shows blue light can impact the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, by disrupting melatonin production and delaying sleep onset. While blue light is beneficial during the day for alertness, its exposure at night, especially before bed, can hinder sleep quality.
Honey and McBride said there are some ways to limit impacts – they recommend turning lights off whenever possible and utilizing motion sensors or timers. They also suggested shielding lights to reduce skyglow.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has strict controls when it comes to artificial lights, especially in environmentally significant areas. Honey said the organization has many dark sky preserves in Canada – including Torrance Barrens Conservation Reserve near Huntsville, which was the world’s first permanently designated dark sky preserve.
“Towns around the preserve have established bylaws to minimize light pollution and preserve nighttime darkness for future generations,” said McBridge. “It would be sad if future generations grew up not being able to see the stars and the sky.”
Highlands East has a bylaw designed to reduce the negative impact of artificial light on wildlife and preserve the natural beauty of the night sky, while Algonquin Highlands and Dysart et al have policies regulating outdoor lighting and promoting responsible lighting practices.
