What impact does the loss of night-time darkness have on humans, and what does this mean for animals and plants?
Every city dweller notices that we can hardly see any stars in the sky at night due to increasingly bright artificial lighting. But this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the loss of natural night-time darkness. Humans and animals – including moths, migratory birds and sea turtles – are now suffering around the globe from the destruction of the day-night rhythm caused by excessive night-time lighting. In humans, this can lead to illness and increased stress. This phenomenon, which was previously only known to experts, is presented comprehensively and richly illustrated for the first time in this work – by experts from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the USA. It is suitable for anyone interested in the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature and a healthy work-life balance.
From the contents:
- A brief history of light
- Night and the battle against night from a cultural and historical perspective
- Light pollution in Central Europe
- Insects and artificial light
- Birds and artificial light
- Sea turtles as victims of beach lighting
- Moonlight as a natural time cue for marine fauna
- The influence of artificial light at night on aquatic ecosystems
- Light on the internal clock
- The loss of night in a 24-hour society
This second edition of the book Das Ende der Nacht (The End of the Night) sheds light on further background information relating to the loss of the night. Among other things, the book includes the initial findings of the Leibniz Association's research network of the same name.
