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Tuning the Spectrum of Outdoor Light Sources to the Ambient Spectrum

Author

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  • Roland Brémond

    (CoSys Lab, Université Gustave Eiffel, F-77420 Champs-sur-Marne, France)

  • Gaël Obein

    (Laboratoire Commun de Métrologie (LNE-CNAM), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, F-93210 Saint Denis, France)

Abstract

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is now considered as a driver of evolution, possibly harmful to biodiversity, which constitutes a threat to the terrestrial and marine environment, and as such falls under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 14 and 15. One way of mitigating its impact on the environment is to select an environment-friendly light spectrum, which is made more easily with current LED technologies. In this paper, we propose to adapt the spectrum of the lamps to that of the immediate environment. It makes it possible not to disturb the light environment of animals and plants at night and during the twilight period, at least from a spectral point of view, while ensuring the usual functions of lighting for humans. Apart from its own merit, the proposed concept may also contribute to SDG 13 by saving energy compared to current approaches based on long wavelengths light. The proposed idea may be implemented in various ways and deserves to be discussed in the lighting community and tested in real settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Brémond & Gaël Obein, 2025. "Tuning the Spectrum of Outdoor Light Sources to the Ambient Spectrum," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8921-:d:1766730
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedro Tavares & Dmitrii Ingi & Luiz Araújo & Paulo Pinho & Pramod Bhusal, 2021. "Reviewing the Role of Outdoor Lighting in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-28, November.
    2. Almut Kelber & Anna Balkenius & Eric J. Warrant, 2002. "Scotopic colour vision in nocturnal hawkmoths," Nature, Nature, vol. 419(6910), pages 922-925, October.
    3. Kevin J. Gaston, 2000. "Global patterns in biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6783), pages 220-227, May.
    4. Harry Smith, 2000. "Phytochromes and light signal perception by plants—an emerging synthesis," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6804), pages 585-591, October.
    5. Kevin J. Gaston, 2013. "A green light for efficiency," Nature, Nature, vol. 497(7451), pages 560-561, May.
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