The Darkness Manifesto: How light pollution threatens the ancient rhythms of life
Johan Eklöf
This timely and captivating look at the hidden impact of light pollution is “rich in revelation and insight…lyrical” (The Wall Street Journal) and urges us to cherish natural darkness for the sake of the environment, our own well-being, and all life on earth.
How
much light is too much light? Satellite pictures show our planet as a
brightly glowing orb, and in our era of constant illumination, light
pollution has become a major issue. The world’s flora and fauna have
evolved to operate in the natural cycle of day and night. But in the
last 150 years, we have extended our day—and in doing so have forced out
the inhabitants of the night and disrupted the circadian rhythms
necessary to sustain all living things, including ourselves.
In this “well-researched and surprisingly lyrical” (The New Statesman,
UK) book, Swedish conservationist Johan Eklöf urges us to appreciate
natural darkness, its creatures, and its unique benefits. He ponders the
beauties of the night sky, traces the errant paths of light-drunk moths
and the swift dives of keen-eyed owls, and shows us the bioluminescent
creatures of the deepest oceans. As a devoted friend of the night, Eklöf
reveals the startling domino effect of diminishing darkness: insects,
dumbfounded by streetlamps, failing to reproduce; birds blinded and
bewildered by artificial lights; and bats starving as they wait in vain
for insects that only come out in the dark. For humans, light-induced
sleep disturbances impact our hormones and weight, and can contribute to
mental health problems like chronic stress and depression. The
streetlamps, floodlights, and neon signs of cities are altering entire
ecosystems, and scientists are only just beginning to understand their
long-term effects. The light bulb—long the symbol of progress and
development—needs to be turned off.
How
much light is too much light? Satellite pictures show our planet as a
brightly glowing orb, and in our era of constant illumination, light
pollution has become a major issue. The world’s flora and fauna have
evolved to operate in the natural cycle of day and night. But in the
last 150 years, we have extended our day—and in doing so have forced out
the inhabitants of the night and disrupted the circadian rhythms
necessary to sustain all living things, including ourselves.
In this “well-researched and surprisingly lyrical” (The New Statesman,
UK) book, Swedish conservationist Johan Eklöf urges us to appreciate
natural darkness, its creatures, and its unique benefits. He ponders the
beauties of the night sky, traces the errant paths of light-drunk moths
and the swift dives of keen-eyed owls, and shows us the bioluminescent
creatures of the deepest oceans. As a devoted friend of the night, Eklöf
reveals the startling domino effect of diminishing darkness: insects,
dumbfounded by streetlamps, failing to reproduce; birds blinded and
bewildered by artificial lights; and bats starving as they wait in vain
for insects that only come out in the dark. For humans, light-induced
sleep disturbances impact our hormones and weight, and can contribute to
mental health problems like chronic stress and depression. The
streetlamps, floodlights, and neon signs of cities are altering entire
ecosystems, and scientists are only just beginning to understand their
long-term effects. The light bulb—long the symbol of progress and
development—needs to be turned off.
Kategorien:
Jahr:
2022
Verlag:
Random House
Sprache:
english
Seiten:
272
ISBN 10:
1529193419
ISBN 13:
9781529193411
Datei:
EPUB, 1.25 MB
IPFS:
,
english, 2022
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