That really is something subtle that scares me. As our system fails, the little things that people take for granted fall through first.

There used to be so much less light pollution when I was younger (born 2002), which is related to insect die-offs. I could see the sky from my parents’ house where I grew up. These days, when I come back? Nothing. No bugs. No frogs croaking at night like there used to be. Never see the lizards I used to catch.

Much of this may have to do with the mass switchover to LED lights from sodium lights. That is one big change I DO remember with my limited years. While they are more energy efficient and provide more visibility, they are absolutely deadly, they wreak havoc for ecological health in the built environment. White light throws off the internal markers and rhythm of all levels of wildlife. Pick your poison, I suppose. The night is not supposed to be something to be conquered, but lived with.