Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Letters

LED streetlights are far from eco-friendly

LED streetlights along a rural road in Oxfordshire.
LED streetlights along a rural road in Oxfordshire. Photograph: Douglas Boyes/AFP/Getty Images

Why are LED streetlights labelled “eco-friendly” just because they use marginally less electricity than their predecessors (LED streetlights decimating moth numbers in England, 25 August)?

Reading your article about their impact on insects, bats and other wildlife, I would have thought “eco-destructive” would be more appropriate, particularly as they are not recyclable and the mining and processing of rare earth metals required for their manufacture is environmentally devastating.

They aren’t too friendly to humans either. Many people contact our charity, LightAware, to complain about how they make health problems, such as migraine, much worse.
Dr John Lincoln
Trustee, LightAware

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Heard it on the grapevine: Polish wine’s quiet renaissance
Once thought of only for vodka and lager, Poland is in the midst of a wine-making revival that’s infiltrating restaurant lists, bars and independent suppliers
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
In My Tiny Kitchen, Every Inch Counts – Yet Drew Barrymore’s Ingenious Blender Earned a Spot on My Counter (And Replaced 3 Bulky Appliances)
The new 'Kitchen System' is a personal blender and food processor all in one, making it a must-have for small spaces (starting with mine)
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Former Texas Roadhouse worker calls out the outlet for ‘scooping out’ a bug from their cinnamon butter, but people noticed something even worse
Everyone has seen the viral videos of secret menu hacks or behind-the-scenes kitchen tours. But one former Texas Roadhouse server’s “throwback” TikTok of a bug in cinnamon butter is a literal nightmare. People with a fear of bugs, you might want to sit this one out.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
From YouTuber to NASCAR driver: Cleetus McFarland expands his racing resume at Daytona
Garrett Mitchell is better known as “Cleetus McFarland” to his millions of followers gained over the years as a racing influencer
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Woman orders wedding dress from Dior. Then she sees the box it came in. People are alarmed at the reveal: ‘I thought that was a fridge’
Forget butterflies and happy tears. This Dior bride’s big moment arrived looking less like couture and more like a Home Depot delivery. In a now-viral TikTok, handymen lug a massive wooden crate into her house–except it’s the kind you’d expect to hold a fridge, not a frock.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
8 Signs Your Healthy Southern Diet is Actually Causing Inflammation
Traditional Southern flavors often rely on fresh produce and lean proteins, but common preparation methods can unintentionally trigger inflammation. While many believe they are following a wholesome regional diet, specific dietary habits might be working against health goals. Identifying these subtle shifts in nutrition can help restore balance and improve…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play