“Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights” these are the lyrics of a hip-hop track that often pops into my head while I’m driving through Abu Dhabi after dark. On one of my typical nocturnal routes, I might pass office blocks with every floor still illuminated, floodlit construction sites and the houses of newlyweds decked out in decorative fairy lights. Add to this thousands of street lamps, and it matters very little whether there is a full moon or a waxing crescent – the night is always bright.
At one of my previous homes, with my own indoor lights off, I could open my curtains at night and literally read a book by the spotlights of my neighbour’s villa. I had to invest in blackout curtains to ensure any chance of a good night’s sleep.
Beyond my own personal grievances, however, the issue of artificial light at night is a genuine and growing environmental concern.
"Skyglow" sounds like something delightful, but it is actually the name given to light pollution, the diffuse luminescence in the night sky not attributable to the moon or the stars. According to the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, around 80 per cent of the world's human population now live beneath skyglow. Many of us rarely, if ever, experience a naturally dark night.
Unlike many other countries, it is possible to gain some respite in the UAE. If you have ever been camping deep in the nation's desert, you will know what an Arabian night sky really looks like. The stars shine brighter for one thing, and way more of them are visible. The first time I saw the night sky in such a setting, I was mesmerised. It was like gazing at a beautiful face that I knew well but had somehow never really seen before.
Beyond the aesthetics, the darker side of artificial light pollution is that it interferes with our ecosystems in complex ways that we are only slowly beginning to appreciate. For example, 40 per cent of the world’s insect species face extinction, and some of this loss is attributed to artificial night light making insects more vulnerable to predation. Some might dismiss the loss of a few creepy crawlies as trivial. However, it is worth reflecting on the words of the Pulitzer-prize-winning biologist, E O Wilson. “If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos,” he has said.
Many of us rarely, if ever, experience a naturally dark night
It is not only insects that are affected. Another recent discovery is that artificial night light stresses amphibians too. Ultimately, this means fewer frogs and toads are making it to maturity. Again, this is likely to have a knock-on effect further up the food chain. Perhaps one of the saddest examples, though, is the impact that artificial light has on baby sea turtles. Each year tens of thousands of newly hatched turtles are misguided and disorientated by our artificial light sources. Rather than following the light of the moon to the sea, they end up stranded on land, squished by cars or picked off by predators. Light pollution is one of the main reasons hatchlings don’t make it to adulthood.
Beyond the animal kingdom, light pollution can also take its toll on humans. Always fond of a good acronym, scientists now talk about Alan (artificial light at night) posing a significant threat to our health.
Frequently, when we go to sleep, even if we have blackout curtains, our bedrooms are filled with small artificial lights blinking away at us – TV standbys, phones, internet routers. This artificial light at night – Alan, if we must – is thought to disrupt the production of the hormone melatonin, and is associated with an increased risk of numerous health complaints, including diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and sleeping disorders.
There is also a link between light at night and mental health. For a long time, we referred to mental-health problems as lunacy, and those who experienced them as lunatics – words derived from the idea that the moon, especially the full moon, triggered insanity. The notion of a link between the moon and mental health is not as wild as it might sound. In pre-industrialised societies, when nights were dark, a full moon might prove particularly disruptive to sleep patterns, triggering psychological disorders in the vulnerable.
It is now well established that circadian rhythm disruption, messing with the body clock, can trigger psychological problems. This is especially true for those prone to episodes of depression and mania.
In short, artificial light at night is damaging. So much so that the American Medical Association published a public report titled Light Pollution: Adverse Health Effects of Night-time Lighting.
The full health and environmental implications of Alan are still emerging. However, we know enough to understand that taking action is in our best interest and the interest of the planet. Thankfully, unlike air and water pollution, light pollution is entirely reversible. The solution is relatively simple too: keep lighting to a necessary minimum. The night sky is far more beautiful with the lights off.
Justin Thomas is a professor of psychology at Zayed University
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Sunday's fixtures
- Bournemouth v Southampton, 5.30pm
- Manchester City v West Ham United, 8pm
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
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How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
