A new satellite study has shown that artificial lighting on Earth at night increased by about 16% between 2014 and 2022. According to the study, the planet’s overall illumination is increasing, but there are exceptions: in some regions it has decreased due to wars, natural disasters, or energy-saving policies.
Scientists note that the increase in illumination is mainly due to developing countries, where electricity networks and urban lighting are expanding. At the same time, for example, in some European countries, illumination has decreased as a result of energy-saving programs, and in war zones (such as Ukraine), a sharp decline has been observed.
The study was conducted using NASA satellite data and specialized systems that observe the Earth at night. Scientists warn that increased artificial lighting also has a negative effect: it disrupts sleep and animal behavior, and reduces the visibility of stars in the night sky.
