A Brief Overview on Light Pollution

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation across the globe has resulted to exponential population boomed inhabiting the big cities and urban areas. Unfortunately, this also means more people are now experiencing light pollution (LP) without ever realising it. Vigorous development and economic growth contributed to a sweeping increase in artificial light usage, which further deteriorate the natural dark sky. Altreration in the circadian rhythm of human, plants and animals and loss of naked-eye observable astronomical bodies, are only among the few of LP impacts. However, LP is considered newly recognised anthropogenic pollution where little initiatives have taken in addressing it. This study employs qualitative method of literatures review with using the 4W1H questions (i.e What, When, Which, Why and How) derived from an online search query data visualisation tool called “Answer The Public”. These keyword questions act as a guideline in providing general overview on LP issue while answering commonly asked questions by the Internet users. Furthermore, this paper attempts to foresee future directions in LP research.