logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2019
13m 23s

The problem of light pollution -- and 5 ...

TED
About this episode

Ever gaze up at the starry night sky? This stunning view is at risk of disappearing -- unless we act now, says astrophysicist Kelsey Johnson. In this fascinating, unexpectedly funny talk, she explains how light pollution affects almost every species on earth (including us) and shares five “stupidly simple” things you can do to help solve the problem.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Confessions of an accidental killer | Gregg Ward
Author Gregg Ward spent decades grappling with guilt from a personal tragedy before recognizing a different path forward — where purpose replaced self-punishment. What he learned about transforming regret into positive change might make you rethink your own mistakes. Hosted on Ac ... Show More
13m 44s
Jul 7
Does working hard really make you a good person? | Azim Shariff (re-release)
Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good -- even if they produce little to no results. Social psychologist Azim Shariff analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring wo ... Show More
14m 59s
Jul 6
The kind of AI we actually need | Van Jones
Social entrepreneur Van Jones believes a new human civilization is being born in real time — and that our technology is racing ahead of our wisdom. In this urgent and hopeful talk, he reframes the AI debate, showing why the real danger isn't the technology itself but rather the c ... Show More
18m 44s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2020
The Disappearing Dark Night Sky
Around the world, the night sky is getting lighter. Luke Haley and Liz Waid look at the problem of light pollution. 
15m 1s
Mar 2022
How Light Pollution Works
Artificial light at night, aka light pollution, affects almost everyone on Earth. And not just people – trees, plants, animals, insects, and marine life are affected by our propensity to light up everything we can. Learn what you – YOU! – can do to help.See omnystudio.com/listene ... Show More
48m 17s
Jan 2022
How artificial light affects our health
Sleep researcher Dragana Rogulja outlines the damage artificial light does to our health and suggests some ways to combat the problem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
7m 26s
Mar 2023
Lights Out
<p>Most people in North America can't see the Milky Way. The reason? We're ensconced in a luminous fog of artificial lighting 24/7. The evolution of lighting technology over the last century has made it possible to live, work, and play at any hour - day or night. But light pollut ... Show More
30m 47s
Jan 2024
1KHO 240: The Importance of Bright Days and Dark Nights | Paul Bogard, The End of Night
Paul Bogard joins us to talk about the pervasive issue of light pollution and its impact on our ability to experience the beauty of the night sky amongst many other things. Bogard discusses the societal shift towards retreating indoors when darkness falls, highlighting the hidden ... Show More
48m 40s
May 2021
Can we be touched by a star
Solar scientist Sabrina Savage shares what we know about solar flares-- and how they can profoundly affect our daily lives. This talk was filmed at TEDxNashville. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. To ... Show More
6m 49s
Jan 2021
Under our Night Sky
Under The Night SkyBrian Cox and Robin Ince discover the importance of the night sky to human history and how our relationship with the stars has changed over the centuries. They are joined by star-gazer Jon Culshaw, astronaut Tim Peake, astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith and astro ... Show More
57m 26s
Sep 2025
#95 Under the stars (Med)
Learn how to talk about the night sky and stargazing. 
11m 24s
Oct 2023
Exploring Dark Skies
<p>Where are the darkest skies in the US? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice learn about dark sky efforts, light pollution, and cool places to stargaze with guests astrophysicist Matt O’Dowd, photographer Babak Tafreshi, and national park ranger Bradley Mills. </p><p>NOTE: StarTa ... Show More
56m 28s