Global light pollution increased 16% since 2014, study finds
A study published in Nature reveals that Earth's night sky has brightened by 16% since 2014, outpacing population growth of 10%. An international research team including German scientists analyzed 1.16 million NASA satellite images, covering every day globally at 500-meter resolution. British experts are calling for a "Ministry of the Night" to address light pollution, also known as light smog. The phenomenon refers to artificial light sources brightening the night sky. The study marks the first time daily satellite data was used to track this trend worldwide.
Key facts
- Earth's night brightness increased 16% since 2014
- Population grew only 10% in the same period
- 1.16 million NASA satellite images analyzed
- Study published in Nature
- International team includes German researchers
- British experts propose a 'Ministry of the Night'
- Light pollution also called light smog
- First daily global satellite analysis of its kind
Entities
Institutions
- NASA
- Nature
Locations
- Germany
- United Kingdom