Artificially lit surface of Earth at night increasing in radiance and extent

DOI: 
10.1126/sciadv.1701528
Publication date: 
01/12/2017
Main author: 
Kyba C.C.M.
IAA authors: 
De Miguel A.S.
Authors: 
Kyba C.C.M., Kuester T., De Miguel A.S., Baugh K., Jechow A., Hölker F., Bennie J., Elvidge C.D., Gaston K.J., Guanter L.
Journal: 
Science Advances
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
3
Number: 
e1701528
Issue: 
11
Abstract: 
<p>A central aim of the "lighting revolution" (the transition to solid-state lighting technology) is decreased energy consumption. This could be undermined by a rebound effect of increased use in response to lowered cost of light. We use the first-ever calibrated satellite radiometer designed for night lights to show that from 2012 to 2016, Earth's artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2.2% per year, with a total radiance growth of 1.8% per year. Continuously lit areas brightened at a rate of 2.2% per year. Large differences in national growth rates were observed, with lighting remaining stable or decreasing in only a few countries. These data are not consistent with global scale energy reductions but rather indicate increased light pollution, with corresponding negative consequences for flora, fauna, and human well-being. © Copyright 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).</p>
Database: 
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85039769210&doi=10.1126%2fsciadv.1701528&partnerID=40&md5=04ce139e336ada9f1888d55450f80270