This poster illustrates how extensive light pollution has become over the past half
Century. The image to the upper left portrays the extent to which artificial lighting illuminated the United States in the late 50s. It’s clear that the industrial-ized Northeast and Midwest contributed the most to light pollution, while danger signs were already evident near Los Angeles and San Diego.

The image to the upper right shows the southern expansion of light pollution in the mid 70s. Atlanta had already begun making its mark on the night sky.

The image to the lower left shows that by the late 90s light pollution had begun to assume epidemic proportions, leaving only the area west of the Mississippi and east of California safe from adverse consequences of irresponsible lighting.

The final image is a projection of the cancerous growth light pollution will assume unless measures to enforce responsible lighting are enacted quickly.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not opposed to artificial lighting! I enjoy watching tv and surfing the web at night, and I have modest light fixtures around the walkway leading up to my front door. I have no desire to reclaim a culture in which I would have to read books by candlelight.

I am, however, opposed to irresponsible artificial lighting—lighting that is beamed horizontally from my neighbors’ houses directly into my carport, living room or kitchen, lighting that is beamed vertically into space that accomplishes nothing other than cheating us of awe-inspiring, humbling, and sobering views of the night sky.

The images portrayed above would not be so horribly colorful if our culture had made a conscious effort to direct artificial lighting downwards, illuminating only that which needs to be lit up, at an appropriate wattage.

If you want good examples of irresponsible lighting in the Middle Georgia area, just drive down I-75 between Macon and Perry. Notice the garishly illuminated billboards with light cascading out from the sides and from the top of the sign. On occasion, your eyes may even suffer from the obscene glare from a misplaced or misaligned light.

Or drive up I-75 towards the truck stop near the Jackson exit. It you take the next exit south, you’ll surely notice that several of these mega-watt lights tend to be directed right at you, causing momentary eye strain.

Or drive down Riverside Drive towards the new shopping center. On the way you’ll pass a automobile dealership that is covered by a bright halo that any saint would covet.

Those are easy examples. There are plenty more less conspicuous, but offensive examples throughout our region. I welcome any photos that will document egregious light pollution in the Middle Georgia area.