The mystery of dark countries has been exposed. Only one has achieved it and we know the reason. These are spaces without light pollution, a reality with 6 problems and 7 solutions. The concept “light pollution” refers to the excessive and poorly managed emission of artificial light in areas where it is not necessary, affecting the natural cycles of light and darkness.
The urban growth and technological development experienced in recent decades has led to an exponential growth of this type of pollution. It has an impact on multiple levels, from the increase in energy consumption to the disruption of ecosystems.
Although the association between light pollution and climate change may not be obvious from the outset, recent studies have shown disturbing connections. One of the main drawbacks is the rise in energy use to illuminate huge urban and industrial areas.
The artificial lights, often on throughout the night, are powered mainly by fossil energy sources, which increases emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas.
A report of WEEE Andalusia reveals that the generation of energy to cover the consumption linked to the urban artificial lighting It is closely linked to the burning of fossil fuels, which produces a larger carbon footprint and intensified global warming.
In addition to this, the waste heat created by artificial lights contributes to the urban heat island effect. With this phenomenon, cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. This increase in temperature also has an influence on local weather patterns, further highlighting the impact of climate change on cities.
Dark countries: this country has achieved it and we know its secret
Popularly known as the Polynesian rockthe Pacific island Niue is the first of the dark countries. There, the night sky allows its residents to have a clear view of the stars, a landscape that is increasingly difficult to glimpse due to light pollution. Niue It is located about 2,400 kilometers northwest of New Zealand and it is officially the best country in the world to delight in the immensity of the stars.
Star lovers have several places in the world to see them: the Atacama Desert (Chile), the Cíes Islands of Galicia (Spain), the Aoraki Mackenzie Reserve (New Zealand) or Mount Megantic (Quebec, Canada).
However, it is the first time that an entire country has become a space to sit and gaze at the stars without limit. Never before had a nation been declared a Dark Sky Shrinea cataloging granted by the non-profit organization International Dark Sky Association (IDA) as International Dark Sky Sanctuary and International Dark Sky Community. IDA seeks to defend nighttime from light pollution.
Another curious fact about this, the first of the dark countriesis that it is a small independent nation with a population of just over 1,600 people, located in the center of the triangle created by Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands. To reach this milestone, the nation replaced all the streetlights on the island and also contributed to the improvement of private domestic lighting, among other things.
Dark countries: what changes they experience
Now, their neighbors rejoice with navigators guided by the stars and the lunar cycles, with elders who continue to transmit their knowledge from generation to generation. Thus, the Polynesian rock has shown that dark skies free of light pollution are important for the planet, freeing it not only from light, but also from CO2 emissions linked to certain industries.
By changing all the streetlights on the island and improving private domestic lighting, the Pacific island Niue managed to become the first of the dark countries. If you want to know more about the impact of light pollution on biodiversity, you cannot miss the article we have prepared on this topic.
