Birds, insects, mammals, and even humans, evolved a circadian rhythm. The balance between day and night has tipped decidedly toward 24 hour daytime. Below are estimated impacts by the International Dark Sky Association.
Light Pollution News
A bi-monthly podcast that looks at all of the topics in and around our nighttime environment.
Host, Bill McGeeney, is joined by three guests to help walk you through the news around how artificial light at night impacts human culture, crime, and our environment. The path to neighborhood friendly starry night solutions begin with being a more informed you!
Featured Episodes
March 2026: Look at Me Lighting!
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Remi Boucher, Mont-Megantic.
- Jeremy Evans, Photographer/Filmmaker
- Dashiell Leeds, Conservation Coordinator for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter.
This episode, I am very excited to have some first time guests…Oh you’re really going to not want to miss this one! I welcome Mont-Megantic’s Remi Boucher, photographer Jeremy Evans, and, the Sierra Club’s, Dashiell Leeds!
Well, you heard last month that Maine has a new ordinance, but it didn’t take long for that message to become convoluted! Wait until you see what our panel has to say on this! We have some health news…and, oh, there’s a new Sphere coming…maybe to a neighborhood near you? Be sure to stay with us for this episode of Light Pollution News!
March 2026: Create Your Own Meaning.
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Remi Boucher, Mont-Megantic.
- Jeremy Evans, Photographer/Filmmaker
- Dashiell Leeds, Conservation Coordinator for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter.
Today, I welcome back Mont-Megantic’s Remi Boucher, photographer Jeremy Evans, and the Sierra Club’s, Dashiell Leeds!
We have have lot to cover today, including some satellite news, another big slate of ecology, and, how about we talk color…specifically, what color streetlights would you prefer to live under?
Be sure to stay with us until the end today, as we had such a great conversation, that I had to bump out our ecology section to post show…don’t worry Remi and Dashiell stayed on to walk you through it!
All this and a lot more on today’s Light Pollution News!
April 2026: Conquering Nature
Host: Bill McGeeney
Guests:
- Johan Eklöf, Author of Darkness Manifesto.
- Chetna Misra, Lightbahn.
- Leo Smith, ReduceLP.com.
I’m very excited about today’s guest lineup. I have with us someone who has been an inspiration to many of you listening at home, that being Mr. Johan Eklöf. Also with us today is Chetna Misra from the great organization, Lightbahn! And we welcome Leo Smith back.
This episode, you’ll hear about what happened between Leo and his recent suit against the Connecticut Court System! We also cover a lot of policy news – including some events down in Big Bend and New Zealand. You won’t want to miss that. And rounding out our health news, does night mode actually do anything for your health?
All this and much more on today’s episode of Light Pollution News!
Helpful Tips!
Solution to Reduce Light Pollution: 10 Easy Ways
When we start thinking about the issue of light pollution, like many other environmental issues, it can seem like an impossible problem to fix. Luckily, light pollution is technically the most easily reversible form of pollution. If you are interested in reducing light pollution, the best way to start is at home. We have 10 easy steps you can follow to inventory your home lighting to decrease the amount of light pollution coming from your home.
How Many Lumens Do You Need for Outdoor Lighting?
When installing or replacing outdoor lights, brightness of the lights (lumens) is an important factor that needs to be considered. The amount of lumens needed will depend on the application. This will range from 12-800 lumens depending on the purpose of the light.
We recommend going on the lower end when possible, this will not only save on energy costs, but it will help to decrease your contribution to light pollution. You can also add additional lights, or go with a brighter light bulb if you find you need a brighter light for your outdoor lighting.
Best Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard Landscape.
Many people put a lot of time, money, and effort into their outdoor spaces. Lights are a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space at all times of the day. We believe that less is more when it comes to lighting. Too much lighting and everything will be bathed in a generic glow, the play of light and shadows allows for a much more dramatic effect and will allow certain areas and features to be highlighted. We have some great dark sky friendly lighting options for all your outdoor lighting needs.
Do We Need All Of That Light?
Protect Our Night
Annual Estimated Cost of Exterior Lighting
50B USD
US Department of Energy Estimated Percentage Resulting in Wasted Light
99%
Annual American Consumption of Outdoor Lighting.
308 tWH