Fewer Pollinators, Fainter Stars.
How Excessive Lighting Disrupts Nature
Effects on Insects
Excessive nighttime lighting draws insects away from their habitats, leading to disorientation and death through the “vacuum effect.” This disrupts pollination and food webs, accelerating steep declines in insect populations.
Effects on Plants
Plants depend on natural darkness and healthy pollinator activity, both of which are disrupted by over-lighting. Artificial light can alter flowering and growth cycles, reducing plant vitality and biodiversity.
Effects on Night Sky
Excessive lighting washes out the stars and disrupts nocturnal species that rely on natural darkness to feed and migrate. Nearly 80% of people now live under polluted night skies, losing both ecological function and cultural connection to the night.
What is Biological Red?
Biological Red is a lighting approach that mimics natural nighttime conditions to support circadian rhythm and ecological balance.
It uses warm, red-spectrum light instead of harsh blue/white light that disrupts insects and wildlife.
The spectrum can shift between red and ~2700K, with intensity controlled seasonally based on insect activity.
Red light also supports plant health by activating the phytochrome system.
By avoiding cooler light at night, Biological Red helps protect nocturnal species and preserves natural rhythms.
WINTER
In cold winter months, when insects are not active, a more efficient light colour of 2700 K can be used. Due to the longer duration of the night in winter, the energy saving potential is 30-40% higher when used during this time.
SPRING to AUTUMN
In the warmer months, when animals and insects are most active, red light is used to protect insects and biodiversity within their natural habitat.
