Smog, however, is caused by a combination of pollutants from motor vehicles, marine vessels, industry and power plants both in hong kong and in the pearl river. Two light pollution parameters, night sky brightness nsb and street light level sll, are the. A total of 1,957 data sets were taken at 199 distinct locations, including urban. Hku engages students in reducing and promoting adverse.
Stop water pollution, save earth coloring drawing for kids save water, save life, save nature duration. About hong kong night sky brightness monitoring network and sky quality meter. The light pollution in hong kong is best illustrated by this night. Furthermore, inefficient lighting wastes electricity, which in turn increases air pollution. The purpose of this project was to determine the perceived effects of light pollution on the residents of hong kong and to develop a set of recommendations for our sponsor, friends of the earth hong kong, to use in promoting better light pollution regulations. A clean air plan for hong kong tackling roadside air pollution reducing marine emissions cutting emissions from power plants cooperation with the mainland background. In hong kong, a large city on the southeastern coast of china, residents are beginning to complain about lightsflashing signs and billboards that. Light pollution can be defined as the adverse impact of the inefficient, unappealing or excessive use of artificial light. Air pollution control strategies environmental protection.
Hong kongs light pollution among worlds worst south. Specific categories of light pollution include light trespass, overillumination, glare, light clutter, and skyglow. To obtain an accurate measurement, scientists use satellite images of earth at night to determine the number and intensity of the light sources, and calculate the total sky brightness. However, moths are also suffering due to another cause light pollution. The investigative results show the light pollution in hong kong to be severe. Hong kong light pollution one of worlds worst 20 march 20 a ferry crosses victoria harbour in front of the hong kong skyline on october 19, 2012. In such a noisy city, many people have become accustomed to the higher noise levels that underpin our daily activities. For more on honk kongs light pollution levels and monitoring, see. The nightsky brightness was measured and monitored around the city using a portable light sensing device called the sky quality meter over a 15month period beginning in march 2008. An observing network was established for longterm night sky brightness monitoring. A total of 1,957 data sets were taken at 199 distinct locations, including urban and rural sites covering all 18.
Wan chai and mong kok, the night sky is at least 500 times brighter than the darkest sites in hong kong such as eastern. Light pollution is the excessive and prolonged use of artificial lights, in a way that results in the brightening of night skies, disrupting natural cycles and activities of wildlife, health problems in humans, as well as preventing humans from observing stars and other planets. Light pollution in hong kong not only affects the visibility of stars, but also leads to energy wastage and post negative effects on ecosystem and living standards. In recent years, cities have switched from traditional orange streetlights that use high pressure sodium bulbs to metal halide bulbs that produce bluishwhite light. Once connected, air pollution levels are reported instantaneously and in realtime on our maps. The nightsky brightness was measured and monitored around the city using a portable lightsensing device called the sky quality meter over a 15month period beginning in march 2008. One case represents the regional scale, a second represents the district scale, and a third represents the street scale. The university of hong kong conducted a study which showed that pollutants in the hong kong air were three times higher than new york and double that of london. May 26, 2019 of light pollution using stem knowledge. Hong kong could be one of the worst light pollution hotspots in the world, with a spot in tsim sha tsui having a brightness level 1,200 times the international standard for a dark sky, according. Light pollution is the presence of anthropogenic and artificial light in the night environment. The effects of light pollution in hong kong by daniel scott. Light pollution modelling and detection in a heterogeneous environment. Light pollution in hong kong worst on the planet south.
The rights and freedoms of hong kong people and others living here are founded on the impartial rule of law, an independent judiciary, a comprehensive system of legal aid, and a free and active press. The hong kong night sky brightness monitoring network nsn was established to monitor in detail the conditions of light pollution in hong kong. In many places, starstudded skies have given way to a sky awash with artificial light. Hong kong is one of the worlds worst cities for light pollution with night skies around times brighter than globally accepted levels, researchers said ahead of this years earth hour event. Fortunately, concern about light pollution is rising dramatically. According to a survey of light pollution in hong kong 2009 from the university of hong kong, the worst polluted urban areas, for example, mong kok. The effect of air pollution should be included here.
A oneyear survey of the condition of light pollution in hong kong started in march 2008. However, only a small proportion of those stakeholders affected by external lighting had lodged complaints with government departments. Hong kong is one of the worlds worst cities for light pollution with night skies around 1,000 times brighter than globally accepted levels, researchers said wednesday ahead of this years earth. Opinion survey study on external lighting in hong kong.
In 2008, hong kong government clearly target to solve the problem of light pollution in policy address. Pdf the effects of light pollution problems in metropolitan areas are investigated in this study. Task force on external lighting document for engaging. Hong kong is now often touted as the most light polluted city in the world a view supported by a recent study from pun and his department, hong kong night sky brightness monitoring network. Mar 20, 20 hong kong is believed to be the worlds worst city for light pollution, with levels in tsim sha tsui 1,200 times brighter than a normal dark sky. While theres a time and place for outdoor lighting. Two light pollution parameters, night sky brightness nsb and street light level sll, are the focus of the analyses.
Light pollution under the spotlight phnom penh post. Hong kong is the first port in asia to introduce the fuel switch requirement. Nightsky brightness monitoring in hong kong a citywide. A total of 1,957 data sets were taken at 199 distinct locations, including urban and rural sites covering all 18 administrative. Aside from demands for full democracy, hong kong pollution has become the citys hotbutton issue. Hong kong has a wellestablished and trusted legal system based on the common law. Direct light entering the premises usually this is called light intrusion or light trespass. Direct annual comparisons are to be avoided as there are too many factors involved.
Controlling light pollution is one of the credits in the assessment. Jun 29, 2011 results of the first comprehensive light pollution survey in hong kong are presented. Nasa complex landscape and robust human activities, the nightsky condition of hong kong makes for. Nightsky brightness monitoring in hong kong springerlink. The effects of light pollution in hong kong by daniel.
In 2010, hong kong green building council issue beam plus guideline as a reference of green building guideline in hong kong. Regarding the problem of light pollution in hong kong, will the government inform this council. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Two light pollution parameters, night sky brightness nsb and street light level sll, are the focus of the. Its something you need to be aware of whether youre. But where city residents most feel its impact is in light trespass where light shines where it is not intended, wanted or needed and glare, excessive. The effects of light pollution problems in metropolitan areas are investigated in this study. Its affecting resident health, causing expats to abandon ship for singapore and often sinking the city into a haze of smog reminiscent of victorian london. A simple solution would be to introduce laws restricting the size of neon lights and the length of time they can be turned on. However, there is a problem with passing such laws. Light pollution in hong kong environmental sciences essay. Legislative council, 2011 even the public and green groups have urged the government to introduce law to combat light pollution, which is similar to what they did to solve other pollution problems, the government only issued a guideline, namely guidelines on industry. As per the clean air network, 53% of hong kongs pollution comes from local sources power stations, idling engines of cars, trucks and buses and marine emissions. Light pollution is a severe environmental problem in a crowded metropolis like hon in addition to g kong.
Once connected, air pollution levels are reported instantaneously and in realtime on our. Contributions of artificial lighting sources on light pollution in hong kong measured through a night sky brightness monitoring network chun shing jason pun, chu wing so, wai yan leung, chung fai wong. Through our fieldwork in hong kong and archival research we determined the sources of light pollution, the effects it might have on the. Each of us can implement practical solutions to combat light pollution locally, nationally and internationally. Light pollution is caused by inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light.
Commercial vehicles are the main source of streetlevel pollution. It is exacerbated by excessive, misdirected or obtrusive use of light, but even carefully used light fundamentally alters natural conditions. Forms of light pollution light pollution shows itself in several different ways. Jun 01, 20 as with most species declines, habitat loss is playing a major role in moth species declines. Mar 30, 2018 light pollution can be defined as the adverse impact of the inefficient, unappealing or excessive use of artificial light. Although not a lighting technique, air pollution does affect extent of light pollution. Air pollution often creates haze, or even clouds of smoke and dust. The cheapest, most obvious and most effective way to reduce light pollution is to start turning things off. Due to the spotlights and led billboards, hong kong s sky is many times brighter than other cities. Through our fieldwork in hong kong and archival research we determined the sources of light pollution, the effects it. Meanwhile, hong kong has collaborated with the ministry of.
Areas of hong kong are used as the source of three typical study cases. Journal of quantitative spectroscopy and radiative transfer. Hong kong is known as the most serious light pollution in the world and the level in. Apr 05, 2020 for more on honk kongs light pollution levels and monitoring, see. Effects of light pollution on the night sky can be evaluated by the skyglow caused by these artificial lighting sources, through measurements of the night sky brightness nsb. A single offending light source often falls into more than one of these categories. How light pollution affects people and the environment. A growing number of scientists, homeowners, environmental groups and civic leaders are taking action to restore the natural night. Measuring light pollution is an intricate process because the natural atmosphere is not completely dark due to airglow and scattered light. Airport hong kong is a major international and regional aviation.
In hong kong, there is no specific ordinance with regard to light pollution. Assessing light pollution in china based on nighttime light imagery wei jiang 1,2, guojin he 1,3,4, t engfei long 1,3,4, chen w ang 5, y uan ni 1,6 and ruiqi ma 7,8. In addition, most of them considered that there was light pollution in hong kong. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Light pollution affects the natural environment and ecosystem globally. Hong kong night light pollution under the spotlight.
This map shows the location of monitoring stations, and their averaged night sky brightness during the period 8. Results of the first comprehensive light pollution survey in hong kong are presented. Nightsky brightness monitoring in hong konga citywide light. More information on light pollution university of hong kong. Hong kong has only 5% of the land of the pearl river delta, but it creates 20% of its pollution, far more than its neighbouring cities of shenzhen and guangzhou. Average night sky in hong kong 82 times brighter than dark sky standard. If you want a place to see the majestic sweep of the milky way or even any star at night then put hong kong at the bottom of your mustvisit list. Contributions of artificial lighting sources on light.
Hong kong where external lighting has been the subject of complaints, including causeway. Night sky brightness data using 36 sky quality meters are collected by volunteers at multiple sites around the city at designated time. Introduction noise pollution in hong kong is an insidious issue. Hong kong air pollution has become a critical problem in the city. Task force suggests voluntary scheme to curb light. Books about light pollution, its causes, problems caused by light pollution etc. Commercial and residential areas mong kok, tsim sha tsui and causeway bay are found to be the most severe areas of light pollution. Hong kong has been named the worlds worst city for light pollution.
The light pollution map has two base layers road and hybrid bing maps, viirsworld atlasclouds overlays and a point feature overlay sqm, sqc and observatories. Areas of hong kong are used as the source of three. Light pollution however, is by no means unique to hong kong. Light pollution in hong kong run run shaw library city. But they are also a major cause of light pollution. Very easy to set up, they only require a wifi access point and a usb power supply. Pollution levels generally vary from medium to high, although the biggest problems are at roadside levels in builtup areas like causeway bay, central, and mongkok. The nsb night sky brightness values over hong kong at different sites were measured over the period of a year.
This section sets out the strategies of the hong kong sar government hksarg for tackling air pollution problems. This can take many forms, including clutter and urban sky glow. Of the 22,761 complaints received by the environmental. Hong kongs light pollution among worlds worst south china. The gaia air quality monitoring stations are using hightech laser particle sensors to measure in realtime pm2. Hong kong is believed to be the worlds worst city for light pollution, with levels in tsim sha tsui 1,200 times brighter than a normal dark sky. In may 2009, the first systematic investigation of light pollution in hong kong was conducted by pun and so 2009.