When we think about lighting we usually think about energy efficiency and lumens but we don’t take much time to think about light pollution.
Light pollution is the side-effect of artificial lighting, and is responsible for any number of things including screwing up migratory patterns of birds and insects, loss of “a good night’s sleep” for many people, and has been the bane of astronomers since the first telescope was invented.
The International Dark Sky Association is an organization that is trying to raise awareness about light pollution, its adverse effects, and its solutions, and to stop the adverse effects of light pollution, including;- Energy waste, and the air and water pollution caused by energy waste
- Harm to human health
- Harm to nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems
- Reduced safety and security
- Reduced visibility at night
- Poor nighttime ambience
Lighthouses have been using this concept for hundreds of years to concentrate and direct light out to sea.
When applied to current lighting technologies, the result is more light where you need it, with less light lost to places that you don’t need it (or don’t want it). Thus, you can use a lower lumen bulb to accomplish the same results, while consuming less power.