The urbanisation of local communities and the world’s population growth increased artificial lighting use. Artificial light transformed urban life by enhancing visibility, aesthetics, and safety in public areas, on the one hand. On the other hand, excessive use of artificial light leads to light pollution and adverse effects on public health and urban ecosystems. Furthermore, artificial lighting can cause light pollution, which is recognised as one of the most complex environmental degradation forms of the 21st century. Despite the need for night-time lighting, light pollution presents a severe problem for the environment and humankind. It can have adverse effects on people, astronomy and wildlife health, and results in inefficient use of energy and other environmental harm (e.g. carbon dioxide emissions, global warming), crime and disorder.

This chapter presents a green criminology perspective on light pollution as a form of environmental harm and crime, which can be caused by it in the cities. The author discusses possibilities for environmental protection and scientific approaches to reduce light pollution on people and nature, where options can be effortless and inexpensive, such as automatic switching devices, systems with programmable lighting controllers for setting the duration and lighting levels, etc.