Status: 09/11/2022 08:23 a.m
The lights went out in many cities in the past few weeks – Germany has to save energy. Environmentalists also see the crisis as an opportunity for sustainability and species protection.
If you are currently traveling to Mainz, you will not arrive in the realm of darkness, but the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital is also significantly darker than usual. The Theodor-Heuss Bridge is no longer illuminated – as is the Electoral Palace or the Imperial Gate. Only a few of the city’s historic landmarks, such as the cathedral, are still illuminated at night.
An energy plan has been in force in Mainz since August 9, according to which 15 percent of gas should be saved. On the other hand, lighting that serves to ensure road safety is not switched off.
“Less brightness at night has far-reaching consequences for wildlife. Many species suffer from increasing light pollution. It’s just too bright,” says Rainer Michalski. He works for the Nature Conservation Union (NABU) Rheinhessen. “The energy saving plan is an opportunity to get the ecological balance a little better at night.”
“A major cause of species extinction”
According to Michalski, animals only oriented themselves to the moon and stars for many millions of years. For a good hundred years, however, industrialization and technology have made the night lighter and brighter. This has far-reaching consequences for wildlife. “Many insects fly towards light sources and can’t get out of this bright cone. They are literally trapped and then die there,” explains Michalski.
Insects in particular are real “service providers for nature” and therefore very important for the flora and fauna – as food or for pollinating flowers. “Light pollution is likely a major cause of species extinction.”
But can turning off some lights in the city really have an effect on wildlife in general? “Definitely,” says Michalski. “Insects are also attracted to light sources from a great distance. This applies to various moths, for example, but migratory birds are also affected, for example. They then orientate themselves towards illuminated skyscrapers, fly against them, fall and die.”
The problem of ever brighter cities has increased significantly in recent years, says Michalski. The reason is the low-energy LED lamp. “Consumption is very low. Therefore, more lamps with LEDs were used, which significantly increased the amount of light. More and more is being illuminated,” complains the NABU expert.
Study: Germany is getting brighter too
“Europe has been getting brighter and brighter for decades,” confirms Christopher Kyba. He conducts research on the subject of light at the German Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam and at the Bochum Ruhr University. “Since World War II, with a few exceptions, there has been a constant increase in the amount of light at night until 2017.” This is confirmed by an international study led by Kybas.
He and his team examined the years 2012 to 2017 in detail. Both the intensity of the artificial brightening and the extent of the illuminated area have increased worldwide by around two percent per year. According to Kyba, this also tends to apply to Germany. In some federal states it has even gotten brighter by three to four percent per year – especially in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Christopher Kyba also explains the increase in nocturnal lighting in large parts of Germany with the LED lamp in particular. “The long-term development went through the candle, then the gas lantern, the light bulb and now the LED. Light has become more and more efficient, brighter and cheaper.”
“Does the advertising banner still have to light up?”
But now more and more people began to question more and more light at night. “There is nothing going on in German cities after 11 p.m.. Does the advertising banner still have to be lit? In addition, restaurants or gas stations should only be lit up when they are still open,” says Kyba. In an international comparison, however, Germany is in a relatively good position. Spain, for example, is significantly brighter than the Federal Republic. There is also much more artificial brightness at night in the USA. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of savings potential in this country.
That’s why the researcher and his team developed an app called Night Light Stage, which volunteers use to record the light sources in their environment. Kyba evaluates the data for its research. “We know from satellite images where it’s particularly bright, but we don’t know what kind of light sources they are. The information from the app can help us with light pollution.”
Germany’s first night security officer
Sabine Frank is out and about in Fulda and in the Rhön in the early evening. She has been the district’s night security officer since 2014, making her the first and, to date, the only one nationwide. She meets with volunteers from Fulda and wants to record light sources in Fulda using the geo research center’s app. “Everything is glowing now. It used to be just the street lighting. Now it’s always private: from the doorbell to the shoe to the garden. It’s an alienation from the natural environment.”
Sabine Frank advises citizens, companies and municipalities on how light pollution can be avoided. In the meantime, the nationwide inquiries to her are piling up. She has an appointment with the German Football Association soon. It’s about floodlights, she says. “When I started eight years ago, many initially thought it was about air pollution. Today, almost everyone is familiar with the subject.”
From their point of view, a lot has happened in the meantime also legally. The new Federal Nature Conservation Act mentions the term “light pollution” for the first time and sees a connection with the decline in biodiversity. State nature protection laws were also changed accordingly – in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Simple measures against light pollution
In Mainz, Rainer Michalski also noticed that the topic has now reached the general public – at the latest with the Russian war against Ukraine and the need to save energy.
The NABU expert has a simple tip against light pollution and for more animal welfare: “Nature-friendly lighting is necessary. Artificial light at night should have a low blue component. That is exactly what attracts many insects. Warm white lamps are better. But the question is crucial , where do we really need light and where not?”