A lecturer at Hong Kong University is on a one-man mission (not including his team) to reclaim the night sky in one of the most light polluted cities in the world (that’s us, FYI).
Dr. Jason Pun, principal lecturer in the department of physics at HKU, released this video in an attempt to educate the government, business community and the public on the plague of light pollution following 10 years of research.
By setting up 18 monitors all over the territory, Pun and his team found that the night sky brightness in Tsim Sha Tsui is 1,000 times that of a sky with no light pollution.
That’s almost a world record, but let’s not feel too chuffed about it.
And if you think you’re safe out in your idyllic spot in Sai Kung, think again, as the significant light pollution from the big, bad city centre is also seeping into your sky.
Sorry about that.
Besides the colossal waste of energy, light pollution, which refers to the improper amount, direction and usage of lighting, can negatively affect ecosystems and nocturnal wildlife… although mosquitos, unfortunately, seem unaffected.
Pun hopes his work will help to educate the public on the dangers of light pollution and eventually lead to changes that will allow us all to see the stars.
