Our world has changed drastically since the invention of the electric light. Since its introduction into modern life, it’s just gotten brighter and brighter to the point that most people don’t even experience true darkness anymore. The Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness shows you exactly how many people have lost darkness in their lives.
If you’re thinking this is something that only urban people have to deal with, you would be wrong. One look at this map will show you that thanks to how efficient our lights are these days, the glow spills into many places, even if they don’t have electric lights themselves.
As it turns out, darkness is an endangered species that many people would actually have to travel to get a glimpse of it’s true state. For example, on the eastern seaboard of the US, there are no places that you can experience true darkness. The can have consequences on our bodies natural rhythms. If you’re curious to see where your area stands, check out the Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness.