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The future looks bright… thanks to rising man-made light pollution. Our cities are better lit than ever. And this light can penetrate our lives and affect our health. Recent news headlines have linked exposure to artificial light at night to Alzheimer's disease, which has caught the attention of TV presenter and neuroscientist Julia Ravey. Although this area of ​​research is in its infancy, Julia wondered how much was already known about the effects of this unnoticed pollutant on human health. For thousands of years, the use of light—from flames to gas lamps to LEDs—has been essential to aiding our progress. Nick Dunne, Professor of Urban Design at Lancaster University, explores how this intertwined story between humans and artificial light, and how our deep-rooted sense of darkness may have influenced our overly lit cities. Russell Foster, professor of circadian neuroscience at the University of Oxford, explains how artificial lighting at night has allowed us to challenge our biological rhythms – and the health consequences this has had. But the question remains: can simply living in an ever-changing urban environment undermine our health? Early research is starting to give us clues. While research continues, nighttime light levels continue to rise. But some are hoping to reverse the trend. In Sedbergh, Julia meets Janie and Jack, who show her newly installed “dark sky friendly” street lights, saving on both bills and sky shine. And at York St John's University, she joins a team of academics, property managers and experts on a campus tour exploring a project to complement the university's lights, which they hope can serve as a model for York to become the UK's first “dark sky friendly” city. But changing the lightscapes of our cities must be balanced with citizens' perceptions of safety. Anna Barker, Associate Professor in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Leeds, talks about her research into how to make city parks safer places for women and girls, and the role of lighting in making these areas more accessible. Presenter and Producer: Julia Ravey Editor: Martin Smith Assistant Producer: Sam Nixon Production Coordinator: Elliott Prince Studio Manager: Jackie Margerum Produced by BBC Audio West and Wales for BBC Radio 4.
