Seabirds crash due to light pollution: Kamiel Spoelstra explains on NPO Radio1

In a recent episode of De Nieuws BV on NPO Radio1, Kamiel Spoelstra, researcher researcher at BioClock and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology, discussed the growing problem of artificial light pollution and its devastating impact on wildlife. A striking example comes from Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean, where young seabirds (storm-petrels) often crash after their first flights due to disorientation caused by artificial lighting.

Normally, storm-petrels navigate using the moon and stars to reach the open ocean. Bright isolated light sources, such as streetlamps, disrupt this natural guidance system. Spoelstra explained that the moon phase plays a role: on full moon nights, fewer birds are misled because the moonlight balances out the artificial light. During new moon nights, the effect of artificial lighting is far worse.

Not just seabirds

Other nocturnal species are affected too. Flying insects are drawn to artificial lights, which is suspected to contribute to the global decline of insect populations. Moths exposed to artificial light release less pheromone, making it harder for males to find them and reproduce. Thus, light pollution impacts both orientation and reproduction.

What can we do?

Spoelstra shared several practical measures:

• Reduce brightness of outdoor lights
• Turn off unnecessary lights at night
• Use warmer (red-toned) light colors, as blue light disturbs land species the most

Rotterdam has already replaced all 125,000 of its streetlights with dimmable lighting to adapt light levels to the situation. In France, using warmer, lower temperature lights is a legal requirement in many areas. Even the 9/11 Memorial lights in Manhattan are regularly turned off temporarily to prevent migratory birds from becoming trapped in the beams.

Where does true darkness remain?

True darkness can still be found on the open sea, on the Wadden Islands (one of the few places in the Netherlands where the Milky Way is visible), in deserts, and in the vast forests of Siberia.

Listen to the full interview with Kamiel Spoelstra here (Dutch only).