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Lighting Professionals versus Light Pollution Experts? Investigating Views on an Emerging Environmental Concern

Author

Listed:
  • Nona Schulte-Römer

    (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Josiane Meier

    (School of Planning-Building-Environment, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Etta Dannemann

    (Studio Dannemann, Baerwaldstraße 63A, 10961 Berlin, Germany)

  • Max Söding

    (Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    School of Planning-Building-Environment, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

Concerns about the potential negative effects of artificial light at night on humans, flora and fauna, were originally raised by astronomers and environmentalists. Yet, we observe a growing interest in what is called light pollution among the general public and in the lighting field. Although lighting professionals are often critical of calling light ‘pollution’, they increasingly acknowledge the problem and are beginning to act accordingly. Are those who illuminate joining forces with those who take a critical stance towards artificial light at night? We explore this question in more detail based on the results of a non-representative worldwide expert survey. In our analysis, we distinguish between “lighting professionals” with occupational backgrounds linked to lighting design and the lighting industry, and “light pollution experts” with mostly astronomy- and environment-related professional backgrounds, and explore their opposing and shared views vis-à-vis issues of light pollution. Our analysis reveals that despite seemingly conflicting interests, lighting professionals and light pollution experts largely agree on the problem definition and problem-solving approaches. However, we see diverging views regarding potential obstacles to light pollution mitigation and associated governance challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Nona Schulte-Römer & Josiane Meier & Etta Dannemann & Max Söding, 2019. "Lighting Professionals versus Light Pollution Experts? Investigating Views on an Emerging Environmental Concern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:6:p:1696-:d:215816
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Papalambrou & Lambros T. Doulos, 2019. "Identifying, Examining, and Planning Areas Protected from Light Pollution. The Case Study of Planning the First National Dark Sky Park in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Lambros T. Doulos & Ioannis Sioutis & Aris Tsangrassoulis & Laurent Canale & Kostantinos Faidas, 2020. "Revision of Threshold Luminance Levels in Tunnels Aiming to Minimize Energy Consumption at No Cost: Methodology and Case Studies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Wojciech Żagan, 2022. "Quantitative Assessment of Architectural Lighting Designs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Theodor Terrich & Marek Balsky, 2022. "The Effect of Spill Light on Street Lighting Energy Efficiency and Light Pollution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, April.
    5. Przemyslaw Tabaka, 2021. "Influence of Replacement of Sodium Lamps in Park Luminaires with LED Sources of Different Closest Color Temperature on the Effect of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-30, October.
    6. Klaasz Breukel & Ellen Cieraad, 2024. "Using Light as a Medium to Convey Its Dark Side—A Light Festival Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-11, August.
    7. Nona Schulte-Römer & Josiane Meier & Max Söding & Etta Dannemann, 2019. "The LED Paradox: How Light Pollution Challenges Experts to Reconsider Sustainable Lighting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Nora Weinberger & Silvia Woll & Christopher Conrad Maximillian Kyba & Nona Schulte-Römer, 2021. "The Value of Citizen Participation in Technology Assessment, Responsible Research and Innovation, and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
    9. Catherine Pérez Vega & Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Franz Hölker, 2021. "Urban Lighting Research Transdisciplinary Framework—A Collaborative Process with Lighting Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Anna Rutkowska, 2023. "The Interplay between Parameters of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency for Outdoor Amenity Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    11. Radoslava Kanianska & Jana Škvareninová & Stanislav Kaniansky, 2020. "Landscape Potential and Light Pollution as Key Factors for Astrotourism Development: A Case Study of a Slovak Upland Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-16, October.

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