Global Light Pollution Surges 16% in Eight Years
A study published in Nature in April 2024 reveals that artificial light from human activity increased by a net 16% between 2014 and 2022. Using data from NASA's Black Marble satellite, researchers found that night-time brightening increased by 34%, though this was partially offset by a 16% dimming in other regions.
"The human eye adapts to brightness and is not an objective judge of darkness." — Ken Wishaw, Australasian Dark Sky Alliance
Bright Spots and Dark Zones
Brightening is primarily driven by urbanization, while dimming often results from power outages or conflict. An exception is western Europe, which has grown darker due to energy-saving policies.
Australia Under the Glow
According to the Light Pollution Map, Australian cities rank severely on the Bortle scale:
- Melbourne and Perth: Score 9/9 — 69 and 50 times natural brightness, respectively.
- Sydney: Score 8.7 — 40 times natural brightness.
- Brisbane: Score 8.5 — 36 times natural brightness.
The contrast is stark. In Kenilworth, Queensland, over 2,000 stars are visible on a clear night. In Brisbane, only 5–10 can be seen.
An amateur astronomer near Bathurst reports a growing light dome from the city and now plans to relocate his observatory.
Satellites Add to the Sky Glow
Increased communication satellites contribute to ambient sky glow, further affecting both astronomy and wildlife.
Wildlife at Risk
Professor Theresa Jones (University of Melbourne) states that artificial light affects all life forms. It alters behavior in insects, spiders, geckos, migratory birds, and turtle hatchlings. Research at La Trobe University shows that artificial light can disrupt reproductive cycles in tammar wallabies.
Counting Stars: A Practical Test
"Counting stars is a practical method to gauge light pollution." — Ken Wishaw
Associate Professor Zhe Zhu (University of Connecticut) notes that the satellite data also provides geostrategic intelligence about energy and GDP activity.
Controversy Over Long-Running Installations
Dark sky campaigner Marnie Ogg supports the limited duration of events like Vivid Sydney, but criticizes long-running installations. She points to the Bruce Munro Field of Light at Uluru (now 10 years old) and the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience in Melbourne, which is set in a nature reserve.
- Voyages Tourism Australia states the Uluru installation uses low-intensity, contained lighting with limited hours, and that wildlife monitoring shows healthy populations.
- Fever, the company behind the Harry Potter event, states that ecological assessments are conducted before every event.