Why did Denmark change road lights to red?

Some Nordic countries, especially Denmark, have decided to replace the classic street lighting system that uses white light, with red diffused light models.

Some people believe that this change will bring a gloomy atmosphere, but this initiative is still completely worthy of respect.

Denmark has revised its public lighting system in an ecological version: street lamps diffuse red light , which is less disturbing to nocturnal wildlife than traditional white light beams.

Denmark protects wild animals by replacing street lights with red. (Illustration photo: iStock).

This campaign will replace more than 4,000 vintage street lights , to protect bats, a species heavily affected by light pollution.

Light pollution is the excess of artificial light created by human activities at night, mainly from public lighting, signs, buildings and other infrastructure.

They cause serious consequences such as affecting fauna and flora, causing disruption to the natural cycles of many nocturnal and migratory animals, both on land and in the sea, as well as as that of plants depends on these cycles to regulate their growth and rest periods.

Light pollution also affects human health. Too much exposure to artificial light, especially blue light emitted from screens and some types of white light, will disrupt the cycle. human biology.

Serious consequences of light pollution

Light pollution affects many animal species, especially nocturnal wildlife and those that depend on natural light cycles to reproduce, migrate or feed.

These sensitive animals are typically migratory birds, which use the natural light of the moon and stars to navigate during their nocturnal migration.

Artificial light disorients them, leading to exhaustion, increased exposure to predators, and even the risk of collisions with aircraft.

As for ocean creatures, newborn sea turtles rely on natural light from the night sky to find their way to the ocean after hatching. Artificial light in coastal areas often encourages them to head towards roads, contrary to their original trajectory.

Traditional street lights have serious consequences on natural animals. (Illustration photo: iStock).

Many insect species are attracted to artificial light, which disrupts their feeding habits and reproductive behavior and increases their exposure to predators.

In particular, bats will lose direction, frogs or salamanders will be threatened by light pollution.

To reduce the impact of artificial light on nocturnal wildlife, Danish cities have decided to revolutionize urban lighting by installing streetlights that emit red light.

This device emits a softer and less harsh light than the blue, green or purple beams of traditional models, which will significantly reduce disturbance to animals. must bear.

To choose such colors, the authorities relied on studies, which revealed that diffuse wavelengths (like red) have less impact on the natural cycles of nocturnal animals and especially The cycle of bats and mice .