Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
NASA’s recent analysis of artificial nighttime lighting reveals a complex global pattern, with regions both brightening and dimming from 2014 to 2022. According to the study, global nighttime radiance increased by 34 percent over this period, but this overall rise conceals significant variations, as increases and decreases occurred side by side in many areas.
The data show that cities on the U.S. West Coast became brighter with population growth, while much of the East Coast exhibited reduced lighting. Researchers suggest this dimming may be linked to the adoption of energy-efficient LED lights and broader economic shifts. Internationally, notable brightening was observed in China and northern India, corresponding with urban development. Meanwhile, major parts of Europe, including France (33 percent dimming), the UK (22 percent dimming), and the Netherlands (21 percent dimming), experienced reductions in artificial lighting concurrent with energy conservation efforts and increased LED use.
The findings are based on NASA’s Black Marble product, which compiles data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors aboard multiple satellites. These sensors detect nighttime light across a broad wavelength range, enabling detailed mapping of night lights in most inhabited regions. Changes in brightness are illustrated on maps with yellow and gold indicating brightening and purple indicating dimming.
The study also highlights the impact of dynamic factors such as industrial fluctuations, construction activity, regional blackouts, and policy-driven retrofits on nighttime light patterns. It notes sharp dimming in European regions during 2022 amid an energy crisis triggered by geopolitical events.
This research was published in the journal Nature in April 2026 and offers new insights into the complex factors influencing global light pollution trends and nighttime energy use.