Talks and shows

Why light threatens life

Johan Eklöf explores the importance of natural darkness to our environment, wellbeing and life on earth.

Benjamin Balázs via Unsplash

The light bulb - long the symbol of progress - needs to be turned off. To ensure a bright future, we must embrace the darkness.

The world's flora and fauna have evolved to operate in the natural cycle of day and night. But constant illumination has made light pollution a major issue. From space, our planet glows brightly, 24/7. By extending our day, we have forced out the inhabitants of the night and disrupted the circadian rhythms necessary to sustain all living things. Our cities' streetlamps and neon signs are altering entire ecosystems.

Johan Eklöf encourages us to appreciate natural darkness and its unique benefits. He also writes passionately about the domino effect of damage we inflict by keeping the lights on: insects failing to reproduce; birds blinded and bewildered; bats starving as they wait in vain for insects that only come out in the dark. And humans are impacted too, with artificial light affecting our hormones, weight and mental well-being. To protect nature and ourselves, we need to relearn the natural balance of light and dark.

Copies of Johan's latest book, 'The Darkness Manifesto: How light pollution threatens the ancient rhythms of life', are available to pre-order online now.

Event type

This is a livestream event where the speaker and audience come together online. 

You will have priority access to the recorded video for two weeks after the event has taken place.

For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or visit our FAQs page. Please use the event link you have been provided with.  

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About Johan Eklöf

Johan Eklöf
Frida Winter

Johan Eklöf is a Swedish bat scientist and writer, most known for his work on microbat vision and more recently, light pollution. He lives in the west of Sweden, where he works as a conservationist and copywriter. Johan has studied bats for almost twenty years and now has his own consultancy company, hired by authorities, wind companies, municipalities, city planners and environmental organizations as an expert on bats, night ecology, and nature-friendly lighting

Timing for the livestream

The livestream will go live at 6.55pm and the introduction will begin at 7.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.

Event terms and conditions

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