Why does Singapore need so many lights on?

As Singapore moves ahead with its eco-friendly drive, have we overlooked how much electricity we are using, especially from lighting?

Are we guilty of light pollution?

Lights have proliferated unchecked along pavements, covered walkways, bridges, corridors, stairways, and in bus stops, car parks, lifts, void decks, playgrounds and parks.

When night falls, human and vehicular traffic is low in many of these places. Given our low crime rate, do we need to keep all places well-lit to prevent crime?

Is this an unintended consequence of various agencies failing to coordinate their plans and installation work, resulting in overlap and waste?

Since it does not hit us in the pocket directly, few among us would mind the extra bulb or two. But ultimately, we, the taxpayers, foot the bill.

Just as noise affects our sleep, so too does light.

Based on scientific studies, light keeps us awake, and may affect our biological clock that oscillates between day and night. When deprived of restful sleep, our quality of life suffers. We may turn grumpy and foggy, and lose concentration, which could result in accidents. Excessive glare also retards our reflexes.

Light generates heat, too. While we worry about air-conditioners warming the earth, how could we ignore the heat generated by lights? We may need more air-conditioners to cool a larger number of lit indoor spaces. This results in more heat all around.

Is vanity to blame — the need for grandeur as a people, to prove that we have arrived as a developed country? Or that we can be seen from space, like a gemstone emanating rays in all directions?

Excessive light is wasteful and may harm us. It is time we threw light and took action on the matter.

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