Environmental Welfare

Welfare of Wild Animals and Light Pollution

Artificial light at night disrupts circadian rhythms, navigation, and behavior for wildlife, creating chronic welfare harm across multiple species groups.

Key Facts

Light pollution now affects over 80% of the world population's night sky
Sea turtle hatchlings navigate to the ocean by natural light brightness and are disoriented by coastal lighting
Migrating birds collide with illuminated buildings at night in large numbers
Insects including moths are fatally attracted to artificial lights
Light pollution suppresses melatonin in nocturnal animals disrupting their physiology

Welfare Considerations

Light pollution is an invisible welfare harm affecting billions of animals whose biological processes evolved around natural light cycles. Simple changes in lighting technology and practices can substantially reduce this harm at minimal cost.

What You Can Do

Install motion-sensitive and downward-pointing outdoor lighting
Use amber-spectrum bulbs that are less disruptive to wildlife than white or blue light
Support dark sky ordinances and light pollution reduction in your community
Turn off unnecessary lights at night especially during peak migration seasons