Nocturnal pollinators, such as moths, play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, the widespread use of street lighting has been shown to interfere with their activities. In response, the city of Lahti, Finland, has initiated a pilot program to test pollinator-friendly street lighting technology designed to minimize this disruption.
A video comparison shared by the city demonstrates the stark difference in pollinator activity between traditional and new streetlights, highlighting the benefits of this innovative approach.
Research indicates that insects, including pollinators, often mistake artificial lighting for natural light sources like the moon and stars. This misguidance disrupts their nocturnal behavior, causing them to expend energy unnecessarily and neglect their pollination duties. A Swiss study observed a 62% reduction in pollinator visits to plants in artificially lit areas compared to those in darkness. Daytime pollinators are unable to compensate for the deficit caused by these nighttime disruptions.
To address this issue, Lahti has installed the new streetlights along a 500-meter path in the Ritamäki nature reserve. These lights are specifically designed to filter out the blue light spectrum, which is particularly attractive to pollinators. By emitting warmer light, the new lamps reduce the likelihood of pollinators being drawn away from their natural activities.
"We chose an area with lots of pollinators so that the lights do the most good. If the pilot is successful and cost effective, we’ll update the lighting in other areas as well," stated Veera Hämäläinen, Communications Director at the city of Lahti.
In conjunction with this initiative, Lahti will host a ‘Night of the Pollinators’ on September 7. The event encourages residents to reduce or eliminate outdoor lighting for part or all of the night. The city will turn off lights in two areas near the harbor, with careful consideration given to public safety.
Research from the University of York supports the effectiveness of reducing nighttime lighting, noting that even partial light reductions can significantly benefit pollinators by allowing them to focus better on their tasks.
“Let’s give pollinators some peace of night. This is a good opportunity to remind homeowners and housing companies to think if they really need their outdoor lights or could they be set on a timer to turn off at some point of the night,” Hämäläinen remarked. “Both pollinators and your wallet will thank you for every outdoor light you turn off.”
Lahti’s efforts are part of its broader ‘Without Pollinators We Cannot Survive’ campaign, which launched in June. The campaign began by distributing 10,000 seed packets and 100 ‘I pollinate here’ yard signs, which were quickly claimed by enthusiastic residents.
The city has also installed five designer pollinator habitats in Mukkula manor park, crafted by internationally recognized interior architect Tapio Anttila. This fall, Lahti plans to offer residents a unique experience by presenting outdoor advertisements that reveal a pollinator’s perspective using ultraviolet light, viewable in low-light conditions.
