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The LED Paradox: How Light Pollution Challenges Experts to Reconsider Sustainable Lighting

Author

Listed:
  • Nona Schulte-Römer

    (Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Josiane Meier

    (School of Planning-Building-Environment, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Max Söding

    (School of Planning-Building-Environment, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

  • Etta Dannemann

    (Studio Dannemann, 12435 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

In the 21st century, the notion of “sustainable lighting” is closely associated with LED technology. In the past ten years, municipalities and private light users worldwide have installed light-emitting diodes in urban spaces and public streets to save energy. Yet an increasing body of interdisciplinary research suggests that supposedly sustainable LED installations are in fact unsustainable, because they increase light pollution. Paradoxically, blue-rich cool-white LED lighting, which is the most energy-efficient, also appears to be the most ecologically unfriendly. Biologists, physicians and ecologists warn that blue-rich LED light disturbs the circadian day-and-night rhythm of living organisms, including humans, with potential negative health effects on individual species and whole ecosystems. Can the paradox be solved? This paper explores this question based on our transdisciplinary research project Light Pollution—A Global Discussion. It reveals how light pollution experts and lighting professionals see the challenges and potential of LED lighting from their different viewpoints. This expert feedback shows that “sustainable LED lighting” goes far beyond energy efficiency as it raises complex design issues that imply stakeholder negotiation. It also suggests that the LED paradox may be solved in context, but hardly in principle.

Suggested Citation

  • Nona Schulte-Römer & Josiane Meier & Max Söding & Etta Dannemann, 2019. "The LED Paradox: How Light Pollution Challenges Experts to Reconsider Sustainable Lighting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:6160-:d:283554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dorin Beu & Calin Ciugudeanu & Mircea Buzdugan, 2018. "Circular Economy Aspects Regarding LED Lighting Retrofit—from Case Studies to Vision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Francesco Leccese & Viola Vandelanotte & Giacomo Salvadori & Michele Rocca, 2015. "Blue Light Hazard and Risk Group Classification of 8 W LED Tubes, Replacing Fluorescent Tubes, through Optical Radiation Measurements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Nona Schulte-Römer & Josiane Meier & Etta Dannemann & Max Söding, 2019. "Lighting Professionals versus Light Pollution Experts? Investigating Views on an Emerging Environmental Concern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Annika K. Jägerbrand, 2020. "Synergies and Trade-Offs Between Sustainable Development and Energy Performance of Exterior Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Piotr Jaskowski & Piotr Tomczuk & Marcin Chrzanowicz, 2022. "Construction of a Measurement System with GPS RTK for Operational Control of Street Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Theodor Terrich & Marek Balsky, 2022. "The Effect of Spill Light on Street Lighting Energy Efficiency and Light Pollution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, April.
    4. Przemyslaw Tabaka, 2021. "Influence of Replacement of Sodium Lamps in Park Luminaires with LED Sources of Different Closest Color Temperature on the Effect of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-30, October.
    5. Krzysztof Skarżyński & Anna Rutkowska, 2023. "The Interplay between Parameters of Light Pollution and Energy Efficiency for Outdoor Amenity Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Farzana Parveen Tajudeen & Noor Ismawati Jaafar & Ainin Sulaiman & Sedigheh Moghavvemi, 2020. "Light Emitting Diode (LED) Usage in Organizations: Impact on Environmental and Economic Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-20, October.
    7. Kwang-Hoon Kim & Gon Kim, 2021. "Using Simulation-Based Modeling to Evaluate Light Trespass in the Design Stage of Sports Facilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, April.

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