Earth is getting brighter at night as cities expand and power reaches more people

Europe is dimming—while much of the world brightens

Satellite measurements show Earth’s nighttime illumination rose 16% from 2014 to 2022. The biggest drivers are urban expansion and improved energy access across developing regions. Yet the story isn’t uniform: parts of Europe are actively dimming streetlights and tightening policies to cut energy use and light pollution, underscoring a growing split in global lighting trends.