Wasting energy on outdoor lighting when it isn’t dark outside

In the early morning hours, numerous street lights are on around the world long after it is no longer dark outside. Also, in the evening hours, numerous street lights are on around the world long before it is dark outside. This is a significant waste of energy and money. The street lights should be equipped with better controllers or properly adjusted timers.

Also, the light bulbs in all street lights should be replaced with light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs can produce the same amount of luminance while consuming much less power and lasting much longer. LEDs cost more initially, but allow for cost recovery from energy savings and a less frequent need to replace them.

In places where street lights are left on after it is no longer dark outside, where street lights are turned on before it is dark outside, or where LEDs are not used for street lighting, people should complain to the organizations responsible.

Furthermore, numerous businesses and houses have their outdoor lights on long after it is no longer dark outside or long before it is dark outside. People should complain to businesses that do this. These lights should have timers. Energy conservation doesn’t just save money.

Energy conservation results in less burning of non-renewable fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) to generate electricity. Less burning of fossil fuels leads to reduced global warming, decreased air pollution and acid rain, diminished dependence on foreign oil, and reduced harm to the environment and wildlife from obtaining fossil fuels.

Reduced global warming elicits diminished severity of natural disasters caused by global warming, less extreme weather, diminished spread of infectious diseases, and less loss of life. Decreased air pollution and acid rain induce fewer health problems, less harm to plant and aquatic life, and reduced damage of materials. Diminished dependence on foreign oil reduces skewing and inequities in foreign policy.

With nuclear power plants, energy conservation results in diminished uranium consumption and hence less nuclear waste.

Energy conservation is of extreme importance to the future of our world. Don’t waste energy on outdoor lighting when it isn’t dark outside.

Ashu M. G. Solo is an interdisciplinary researcher, electrical engineer, computer engineer, intelligent systems engineer, political and public policy engineer, mathematician, political writer, entrepreneur, former infantry platoon commander understudy, and progressive activist.

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