Reducing Light Pollution
           Pollution is a big problem in this world. But the only way to fix it is by starting with the small steps. Light pollution isn’t the most severe pollution that exists, however it still poses many issues. I think we should replace the streetlights with more energy-efficient bulbs, such as LED, or less pollutant ones.
​           How does this affect you directly?​ ​Globe at night​ has research on this: “Light pollution is excessive, misdirected, or obstructive artificial (usually outdoor) light. Too much light pollution has consequences: it washes out starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical research, disrupts ecosystems, has adverse health effects, and wastes energy.” ​The International Dark-Sky Association​ has more insight on the health effects. “Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more.”
           Understandably, the lights on our streets are there for a reason, safety, but what if there was an alternative?The main source of light pollution comes from street lights. Save a Star ​says that older "cobra head" or NEMA-style light fixtures are going to send light shooting out, around, and upwards, instead of directly at the ground where it needs to be. Environmental Health Perspectives says that "Artificial lighting does not necessarily produce light pollution. Light pollution is the term for artificial light that is excessive or intrudes where it is not wanted." So if Littleton's energy company, Xcel Energy, can replace the current street lighting with lights that will not intrude on the sky, we will have this problem under more control.
           But light pollution doesn’t just affect humans, it harms nocturnal animals too. For instance, bats.​ National Geographic​ states, "Excessive artificial lighting, also called light pollution, can have a negative effect on many nocturnal animals, for instance by disorienting them or interfering with their reproduction." These are the factors contributing to why bats are rapidly becoming an endangered species.
           So, in light of this new research, I think we should replace the streetlights with energy-efficient, less pollutant ones. So think very hard about this: Is it worth it to sacrifice your health, and animals safety, but miss the stars' glow?

Sources Cited:

National Geographic
Langley, Liz, and Producer / Narrator: Angeli Gabriel; Sr. Editor: Dan Steinmetz; AP:  Marielena Planas; Editor: Ray Stanton. “Light Pollution Hurts Urban Bats. Trees Can Help.” Animals, 17 Apr. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/04/bats-appreciation-day-cities-urban-ligh ts/#:~:text=Excessive%20artificial%20lighting%2C%20also%20called,making%20their% 20homes%20in%20cities.
Save a Star
Eric Vandernoot, Department of Physics. “Prevent Light Pollution.” Prevent Light Pollution, Save a Star, Save a Life, cescos.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-prevent.html#Reduce.
Environmental Health Perspectives
Claudio, Luz. “Switch on the Night: Policies for Smarter Lighting.” Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Jan. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627885/
Globe at Night
“What Is Light Pollution?” G​ lobe at Night​, www.globeatnight.org/light-pollution.php#:~:text=Light%20pollution%20is%20excessi ve%2C%20misdirected,health%20effects%20and%20wastes%20energy.
Dark-Sky Association
“HumanHealth.”​InternationalDark-SkyAssociation,​ 17Nov.2016,