The essential importance of light

April 15, 2020

Exploring the essential nature of light during the Coronavirus crisis
 

In the campaign to defeat COVID-19, governments across the world are rightly prioritizing the supply of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals and food as ‘essentials’. Next to these though, are other crucial sectors, but there’s a serious risk that some are taken for granted and overlooked. Lighting is one of them.
 

When night falls, try reading a book at home with your lights off. In fact, try doing anything with the lights off. Within seconds you’ll realize how we all take light for granted, even though it’s one of those fundamentals, along with air, water, food and warmth. 

Most drivers and pedestrians recognize the requirement for well-lit streets. A fact backed up by studies that reveal good quality street lighting can reduce accidents with injuries by 30%. Yet, well-lit streets don’t just mean safer streets. Any police officer will tell you that light deters crime. Indeed, research shows that improved street lighting can help reduce crimes such as burglary and theft by as much as 21%.
 

It’s true, we take lighting for granted. But we shouldn’t; it’s essential to all of us.