While we often talk about air pollution, water pollution and waste management, one form of pollution continues to grow unnoticed — light pollution. Every street, building and billboard today is covered with bright lights that never go off. Though it may look beautiful from a distance, this excessive brightness is harming our environment.
Too much artificial light wastes electricity and hides the stars from our view. Many young people in Pakistan have never seen a clear, star-filled sky because our cities never become truly dark. Light pollution doesn’t just affect humans, it also disturbs birds and animals that depend on natural light for their daily rhythms. It even disrupts people’s sleep and mental health.
If the government controlled unnecessary lighting and ensured lights were turned off late at night, we could save energy and restore the beauty of the real night sky. Brightness is good but not when it hides the stars that belong to us all.
Granaz Jalal
Turbat
