In a startling revelation, scientists have cautioned that the human ability to gaze at stars in the night sky could be completely lost in a mere span of 20 years due to escalating light pollution.

In a conversation with The Guardian, Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal of Britain, highlighted that the conditions of light pollution have significantly deteriorated over recent years. This includes the period since 2016 when astronomers announced that the Milky Way was no longer visible to one-third of the global population. He pointed out that the growing use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and other lighting technologies are intensifying the brightness of the night sky at an alarming pace.

Rees expressed his concern, stating, “The night sky is a part of our environment, and it would be a significant loss if the upcoming generation never got to witness it, similar to them never seeing a bird’s nest.”

Christopher Kyba from the German Centre for Geosciences warned that a child born today in a place where 250 stars are currently visible at night would only be able to see 100 stars by the time they turn 18.

Kyba suggested some changes to lighting practices that could significantly improve the situation. These include shielding outdoor lights and directing them downwards, controlling the brightness of lights, and ensuring that they are predominantly blue-white but also include red and orange components.

Meanwhile, Professor Robert Fosbury of the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (UCL) pointed out the health implications of the bluish emissions of LEDs, which lack any red or near-infra-red light. He explained that this absence of reddish light from artificial sources could be contributing to the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes.

In addition to its impact on human health and astronomy, light pollution also disrupts the natural behaviors of wildlife, such as sea turtles and migrating birds, who rely on moonlight for guidance. Moreover, researchers have observed that darker nights can inadvertently provide cover for criminal activities and other potential dangers to humans.

Source: NDTV