Niue is the first country on the planet to be free of light pollution

For a long time, we have often heard of air pollution, water pollution, plastic waste pollution . without knowing that there is another equally dangerous pollution that is having more and more profound impacts on our life, that is light pollution.

According to the scientific definition, light pollution is a form of environmental pollution, which occurs when artificial light overwhelms natural light at night, making people uncomfortable. In other words, this is the phenomenon that occurs when humans produce excessive amounts of light, causing discomfort. This can have harmful health effects, obscure the light of stars, affect astronomical observations, waste energy, and disturb the lives of wildlife. , destroying the ecological balance.

Light pollution is present in large cities and almost exists in every country except Niue.

Niue - perhaps many of us never know the existence of this country. This is a small country, located entirely on a coral island with an area of ​​260 km² in the South Pacific region, 2,400 km northeast of New Zealand. Niue has a population of only 1400 and besides its natural beauty, this country is also famous for the title of a country without light pollution.

At night, Niue really "lights off" - literally. In fact, the country has just been officially recognized as a 'Dark Sky Place' - an area with a night sky of the minimum standard for observing the universe with the naked eye as well as handheld telescopic systems. hand.

This can be considered a reward for Niue's commitment to keeping artificial lighting to a minimum. Of course, the absence of light pollution has also been a great reward for this country. But the title of Dark Sky Place also helps Niue be known as a country where people can observe the universe through the night sky comprehensively. There are not many human habitation areas that meet this standard, making astronomy research significantly affected.

'This is a huge task for us, because it shows the rest of the world that we take environmental sustainability seriously. We conserve the land, the sea and now the sky as precious treasures, 'said Niue Tourism Executive Director Felicity Bollen.

Stars and the night sky have a huge meaning to the Niuean lifestyle, from a cultural, environmental and health perspective. Becoming a Dark Sky Place country will give Niue more access to international support resources in preserving the current natural landscape for generations of Niueans and prospective visitors to the country. this.