Bruce McMath paints a vivid picture of what we've lost as artificial lighting has erased our view of the stars, and why it matters more than you might think.

When was the last time you truly saw the night sky? Not the dim scattering of stars visible from suburbs, but the breathtaking cosmic vista our ancestors considered as fundamental to human experience as sunrise and sunset. For most Americans today—especially the 90% of young people who've never witnessed the Milky Way—this connection has been severed by the steady creep of light pollution.

As chair of the Arkansas Natural Sky Association, McMath explains how this environmental issue extends far beyond astronomy. The Earth has experienced the rhythm of day and night for 4.5 billion years, and every living thing has evolved within this cycle. Artificial light disrupts these patterns at a fundamental level, suppressing melatonin production in humans (increasing risks of diabetes, cancer, and depression), disorienting migratory birds (killing hundreds of millions annually), confusing nocturnal pollinators, and even altering plant growth patterns. The conversation reveals surprising facts about how "security" lights often make properties less secure by illuminating potential targets for criminals, while wasting energy and creating harmful glare.

The good news? Unlike many environmental challenges, addressing light pollution actually saves money and improves visibility. Communities like Flagstaff, Arizona have implemented lighting ordinances that allow residents to see the Milky Way from within city limits while maintaining safe, functional lighting. Simple solutions include using motion sensors, warmer light colors (3000K or lower), properly shielded fixtures, and turning off unnecessary illumination. McMath shares practical steps everyone can take—from enabling night mode on electronic devices to certifying homes as night-sky friendly.

Ready to reconnect with the night sky? Join us for this illuminating conversation about slowing down and rewilding our relationship with darkness. As McMath beautifully expresses, there's nothing quite like "letting your soul wander among the stars with nature's chorus" of whippoorwills and tree frogs—an experience that's "soul-cleansing and heart-refreshing" in our increasingly artificial world.

Arkansas Natural Sky Association:

https://darkskyarkansas.org/

Dark Sky International: https://darksky.org/

Dark Sky approved lighting fixtures and retailers: https://darksky.org/what-we-do/d

_______________________

What is the Natural Obsession Podcast all about?

Growing up, we all had those moments in nature that stuck with us—whether it was a quiet walk in the woods or a grand adventure. On Natural Obsession, it’s our desire to bring those moments to life. As we talk to people from all walks of life we will learn how they fell in love with the outdoors, the different ways they enjoy it today, and explore how we can work together to ensure these spaces are around for years to come. It’s all about sharing memories from the outdoors and ensuring future generations can make their own.

To find out more about Natural Obsession and hosts, Daniel Emison and TJ Virden, visit our website at https://www.natob.co/.

If you have questions about episodes or have guest recommendations please email us at info@natob.co.

Follow us on social media to keep up with upcoming guests and episode info:

• Natural Obsession on Facebook
• @NatObPodcast on Instagram