NASA study: Earth’s night lights increase as global patterns become ‘volatile’

The Earth is becoming steadily brighter, but the pattern of that light is becoming increasingly volatile. 

According to a major NASA-funded study from the University of Connecticut, the planet’s artificial light increased by a net 16% between 2014 and 2022, though the growth is far from uniform.

The research published this month in Nature, analysed over 1.1 million satellite images to create what lead researchers call a “heartbeat of the planet”-a pixel-by-pixel look at how human activity reshapes the night. 

While global radiance saw a 34% gross increase, this was partially offset by significant dimming in specific regions.

Asia continues to lead the world in brightening, with surging night-time light in China and northern India driven by rapid urban development. 

In the US, West Coast cities grew brighter as populations swelled, while Europe saw a sharp decline in light pollution. France led the way with a 33% dimming due to strict energy conservation, followed by the UK (22%) and the Netherlands (21%).

The recent study revealed that satellites can now track global turmoil in real time. In the US, intense gas flaring was detected in the Permian Basin and North Dakota, marking record-high domestic oil and gas production.

Deborah Gordon, senior principal of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s climate intelligence program, told the agency: “Letting operators, investors, and insurers know that this is happening is a huge value proposition, both privately and publicly to the world.

“Understanding where gas is being wasted around the globe, and to have this data be public, is huge for energy, and economic and environmental security.”

The study detects real changes in light usage, offering a raw look at how environmental regulations and global events are altering the face of the planet after dark.