A Problem We Can Fix

Light
Pollution

Too much artificial light at night is harming our planet. It hides the stars, hurts animals, and makes it harder for people to sleep. But the good news is — we can change this.

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We Forgot What
Real Darkness
Looks Like

Light pollution means too much artificial light in places where it isn't needed. It comes from street lights, buildings, cars, and signs that send light in all directions — including up into the sky.

Today, more than 1 in 3 people on Earth — including 8 out of 10 people in North America — can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. The stars have been covered by an orange glow from our cities.

This is not just a problem for stargazers. It harms animals, disrupts nature, wastes energy, and affects our health. And it is getting worse every year.

Earth at night from NASA - showing artificial light
NASA · Earth at Night — The Black Marble
80% of people in the world live under skies so bright at night that they cannot see the stars. Most children today will never see a truly dark sky in their lifetime. International Dark-Sky Association
02 — Sky Comparison

Two Skies.
One Planet.

Milky Way over Black Rock Desert, Nevada — pristine dark sky

Natural Dark Sky

Black Rock Desert, Nevada — Bortle Class 1

Los Angeles light pollution at night — skyglow

Polluted Urban Sky

Los Angeles, California — Bortle Class 9

Milky Way galaxy above clouds in British Columbia

"We are taking the stars away from the children of tomorrow."

03 — Consequences

How Light Pollution
Hurts Life on Earth

Baby sea turtle on beach affected by artificial lights
🐢

Sea Turtles

Baby sea turtles use the light of the ocean to find their way after hatching. When beach lights are too bright, they get confused and go the wrong way — towards the road instead of the sea. Thousands die every year because of this.

Bat nocturnal animal affected by light pollution
🦇

Bats and Night Animals

Street lights pull insects away from their natural areas, so bats cannot find enough food. Many animals that are active at night are scared of artificial light and cannot hunt, find a partner, or travel normally.

Sleep disruption caused by artificial light at night
😴

Human Sleep and Health

Light at night stops our bodies from making melatonin — the chemical that helps us sleep. Without enough sleep, people are more likely to get sick. Studies show it can even increase the risk of cancer and depression.

Barn owl - nocturnal predator impacted by light pollution
🦉

Birds and Owls

More than a billion birds die every year in the USA because they crash into lit-up windows at night. Birds that travel long distances use the stars to find their way — city lights confuse them and they get lost.

Plant flowering cycle disrupted by light pollution
🌱

Plants and Nature

Plants need darkness to know when to bloom and when to rest. Too much light at night can stop flowers from growing at the right time. This breaks the natural link between plants and the insects that help them grow.

City lights from above showing energy waste
⚡

Wasted Energy

About 35% of outdoor lights in the USA shine upward into the sky for no reason. This wastes over $3 billion worth of electricity every year and sends millions of tons of harmful CO₂ into the air — for nothing.

04 — The Numbers

The Numbers
Tell the Story

0%
of people on Earth live under bright, polluted skies
0%
brighter every year — the sky keeps getting worse
0B
dollars of electricity wasted every year in the USA
0B+
birds die each year from crashing into lit windows
0%
of Europe and the USA have light-polluted nights
05 — Interactive

Watch the Stars
Disappear

Move the slider to see what happens to the night sky as cities get brighter. The more light pollution, the fewer stars you can see.

Low
Stars
Skyglow
Milky Way
06 — Taking Action

How We Can
Fix This

01

Use Lights That Point Downward

Street lights and outdoor lamps should only shine light downward — where it is actually needed. When light goes up into the sky, it is wasted. Changing to shielded lights can cut sky brightness by up to 50%.

02

Choose Warm, Yellow-Toned LED Lights

Cool white LED lights scatter a lot more in the sky than warm yellow ones. Using warmer lights (2700K) is better for animals, better for our sleep, and still saves energy — a simple swap with a big difference.

03

Use Motion Sensors to Save Light

Lights that only turn on when someone is nearby can cut city light use by up to 70%. Many cities in Europe already use smart lighting systems like this and they work very well.

04

Support Dark Sky Laws

Cities and towns can make rules that limit how bright outdoor lights are at night. More than 200 protected Dark Sky areas exist around the world today, giving nature a safe place to rest from light pollution.

05

Turn Off Lights You Don't Need

The easiest thing you can do is simply turn off lights when no one is using them. It costs nothing, saves electricity, and helps the sky. Every home, school, and office that does this makes a real difference.

The Night Sky Belongs
to All of Us

The stars have been shining for billions of years. In just 100 years, we have hidden them with our lights. But this is one environmental problem we can actually fix — and we can start tonight. The sky is still there, waiting for us.

07 — Created by

The Team Behind This Project

Youssef Khazri
Khmaies Khraifi
Mohamed Ferchichi
Youssef Khchine