Light pollution hazards within ecosystems and mitigation strategies for the future

Light Pollution is a phenomenon caused by poor lighting design, and is increasing globally. Only recently are scientists beginning to fully understand how light pollution affects humans and the environment. Birds, which play an important role in our ecosystem, are vulnerable to light pollution effects through fatal light attraction. Nocturnal migrants are especially vulnerable, as they use celestial cues as part of their navigation. It is estimated that over a billion birds die from collisions with buildings each year in North America. Lighting design is an important factor in bird mortality at human built structures. The transnational migration of birds provides a global context for the wide reaching effects of light pollution. And although a global issue, local municipal policy initiatives have been the most effective toward decreasing light pollution and increasing awareness of the issue. Continued advocacy, technological advances, and community organizing will be necessary to address this problem.