Today from 10 p.m.: Why you should switch off the light

Hans Christian Dirscherl

On September 23, 2022, you should turn off the lights from 10 p.m. and leave them off until the next day. Because September 23rd is Earth Night again. Then everyone should switch off the light at home and thus set an example against light pollution.

Here is the brief definition of Earth Night: “Earth Night is an event where people try to reduce the artificial outside light as much as possible for at least one night a year. This always takes place on the Friday in September that is closest to the night of the new moon lies.”

How to attend Earth Night:

In 2022, Earth Night will take place for only the third time. Read everything you need to know about Earth Night here. Incidentally, some cities and communities are also taking part in Earth Night, for example Munich: The Bavarian state capital will switch off the public spotlights on buildings, fountains and monuments in Munich on September 23, 2022 at 10 p.m.

That’s behind the Earth Night

The nights are getting lighter and lighter, especially in the northern hemisphere. As more and more light sources radiate. It’s not just astronomers who suffer from this, who need a particularly dark environment to observe the sky – by the way, the many Starlink satellites from Elon Musk’s satellite internet have also caused displeasure among sky watchers.

But the amount of nocturnal brightness is not good for us humans either. We sleep better and deeper when it’s dark around us. On the other hand, if we lack the right sleep-wake rhythm and we develop sleep disorders, this can lead to serious illnesses in the long term.

Insects and animals in particular suffer from the much too bright nights. Moths flutter around the light sources until they fall dead to the ground exhausted or become easy prey for robbers, as the Bayerischer Rundfunk wrote in 2021. Migratory birds and bats are even thrown off course because of light pollution. Sometimes birds are so attracted to light that they bang against walls. Plants also need the night to rest.

sources of light pollution

The nocturnal brightness comes not only from the lighting in the apartments, but also from cars, street lamps, floodlights on sports facilities or ski slopes, from nocturnal advertising and from decorative lights that illuminate house facades or gardens at night. In particular, spotlights that are not set up correctly and spread their light in all directions are a problem.

Difference to Earth Hour

At the Earth Hour, which always takes place in March, a sign for climate protection is set. Additionally, in 2022, a joint sign of peace was broadcast in Ukraine, in Europe and around the world. Read more about Earth Hour here.