There is a growing threat in today's society known as light pollution. Light pollution is basically excessive light from outdoor lighting fixtures that is misused and causes several negative effects. This growing and confusing problem is often amplified by industrialization and urban development which often neglect to take into account the major problems caused by light pollution. Despite serious efforts to minimize light pollution, “…light pollution increases by approximately 6% each year” (Parks 30). We need to know what light pollution entails, its harmful effects and costs, ways to minimize it and how to appeal to the general public to help alleviate the problem. In more complex terms, light pollution is known as invasive light or spill light. Spill light is “light emitted by a lighting installation that falls outside the boundaries of the property on which the installation is located” (von Maltitz 1). This type of light can be measured by vertical illuminance, light intensity, threshold increment and upward light loss ratio (von Maltitz 1). Creating artificial or artificial light essentially pollutes the natural light of the night sky. Common examples of light pollution include sky glow, glare, overlighting, light intrusion, and clutter. Skyglow is the brightening of the night sky, often seen as a halo appearing over urban areas (Chepesiuk 3). Glare refers to disproportionate brightness that creates visual discomfort (“Light Pollution and Human Health”). Overlighting refers to the artificial light used that exceeds what is needed for an activity. Light intrusion is light that occurs where it is not intended, such as a street light spilling over an area that would have been dark. The mess is in the middle of a sheet of paper......Mr. Mitchell. “The Economics of Global Light Pollution.” Ecological Economics 69.3 (2010): 658-665. Premier Academic Research. Internet. November 20, 2011. International Dark Sky Association. Light pollution and human health. Tucson, Arizona: International Dark Sky Association. Gildea Foundation, June-July 2009. Web. .International Dark Sky Association. Light pollution and wildlife. Tucson, Arizona: International Dark Sky Association, 2008. Gildea Foundation. Internet. .Parks, Bob. “The battle to control light pollution.” Sky and Telescope 122.3 (2011): 30-34. Premier Academic Research. Internet. November 20, 2011.von Maltitz, LJ “Light pollution: are you a cult? » International Dark Sky Association Inc. Web. November 11. 2011. .