By John Kashwick • Hunterdon Warren
As the New Jersey Symphony transported audiences through the celestial sounds of Holst’s The Planets at concert halls this winter, a conversation was unfolding in the lobbies of these buildings—about the stars above us and the growing threat of light pollution.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Kathleen Foley, who organized this important outreach event, members of Dark Sky New Jersey and the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club engaged with concertgoers at four separate performances. Laura Bagwell, Foley, John Kashwick, Steve Mariconda, and Jonathan Wall staffed the outreach table, speaking with attendees about the far-reaching consequences of excessive artificial lighting, not just on our ability to see the stars, but also on human health, wildlife, and the environment.
Many concertgoers who stopped by shared memories of stargazing as children, recalling a time when the Milky Way was visible from their own backyards. Today, that view is lost to the constant glow of streetlights and commercial lighting. This problem extends far beyond aesthetics.
Hidden Costs of Light Pollution
Light pollution does more than rob us of a starry night; it disrupts the natural rhythms of wildlife, interferes with bird migration, and threatens entire ecosystems. For countless species, darkness is essential for survival. Nocturnal animals rely on the cover of night to hunt, navigate, and breed, but artificial lighting changes their world so much that they struggle to adapt.
For nighttime migrations, birds have historically relied on the moon and stars to guide them, but the ever-growing brightness of urban areas leads many of these animals off course. Once disoriented, they become trapped in pockets of artificial light, circling in confusion until they collapse from exhaustion or crash into glass buildings. This phenomenon, known as fatal light attraction, is responsible for millions of bird deaths each year.
Insects, too, have fallen victim to the increasing brightness of our nights. Moths, fireflies, and other nocturnal bugs are drawn to artificial lights, often burning out their energy reserves before they can reproduce, or becoming easy prey for predators. Fireflies, whose mesmerizing bioluminescent displays depend on the darkness to attract mates, are disappearing from many regions due to light pollution. Their decline has far-reaching consequences, as insects are at the foundation of the food chain, providing essential nourishment for birds, amphibians, and other wildlife.
Artificial lighting changes the nighttime environment for many species of nocturnal frogs and toads, too. They rely on their calls to attract mates, a process that is thrown into disarray when light levels are too high. Similarly, bats, owls, and other night hunters struggle to find food when their natural habitats are bathed in artificial brightness, further upsetting the delicate balance of the ecosystems they inhabit.
The effects of excessive lighting extend beyond the natural world, impacting human health and quality of life. Overexposure to artificial light at night has been linked to sleep disorders, anxiety, and even cardiovascular issues. In many of New Jersey’s urban communities where outdated streetlights and excessive commercial lighting are common, residents experience higher rates of disrupted sleep and associated health problems. Additionally, the wasteful use of artificial lighting drives up energy costs, placing a further financial burden on these communities while needlessly contributing to carbon emissions.
Support A2196/S1610
While the consequences of light pollution are vast, there is hope for change. A2196/S1610, a bill introduced this year by Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis and Senators Andrew Zwicker and Raj Mukherji, offers a step toward smarter lighting practices. If passed, this legislation would establish responsible lighting standards for state-funded projects, ensuring that outdoor lighting is energy efficient, directed downward, and used only when necessary. By limiting unnecessary brightness and glare, this bill would help reduce the harmful effects of artificial light on human health, protect wildlife and ecosystems, and lower energy waste, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars.
How You Can Help
New Jersey can lead the way in reducing light pollution, but it will take public support to make this bill a reality. We urge all members and supporters to contact their state legislators and voice their support for A2196/S1610. Legislators need to hear that protecting our night skies is a priority—not just for backyard and professional astronomers, but for wildlife, communities, and future generations. You can find your representatives and their contact information at www.njleg.state.nj.us
By acting now, we can restore the wonder of the night sky, safeguard wildlife, and create healthier, more sustainable communities. The stars are waiting for us to see them again. It’s time to turn down the lights!