tech
Earth gets brighter every year but progression is volatile, study finds
Covid, light pollution regulations and faltering global economy affect location and intensity of brightness
TL;DR
- Earth's artificial light increased by a net 16% between 2014 and 2022, with some regions becoming dimmer.
- Europe and Venezuela experienced significant dimming due to efficiency regulations and economic collapse.
- The Covid-19 pandemic, industrial slowdowns, reduced tourism, and the Ukraine-Russia war have impacted night-time light progression.
- Asia continued to lead in brightening, with surges in China and northern India.
- Energy conservation measures led to reduced light pollution in Paris and France (33% dimming), the UK (22% dimming), and the Netherlands (21% dimming).
- US energy companies' gas flaring, particularly in the Permian Basin and Bakken Formation, was also revealed by satellite imagery.