Research project The snowball effect
This study is part of a study consortium, financed by Nordforsk called "Unconventional methods to inform sustainable design: Mediating the needs of people and nature in Nordic after-dark environments".
In this Work Package 2 (WP2) our objective is assessing the impact of environmental changes in lighting quality and brightness mediated by snow on human physiology and psychology.
Nordic countries show dramatic changes in weather conditions across the year aligned with changes in number of sun hours. According to climate change prognoses, the Nordic countries are confronted with global warming and have to develop coping strategies to adjust to changes; for example, the most densely populated areas will have very little snow cover in winter.
Project description
The suggested study aims to study effects on human biology and behaviour of snow in winter. We know that hormonal changes are dramatic across the year; melatonin secretion is twice as high in the winter as in the summer (Leppäluoto, et al., 2004), affecting sleep, circadian adjustment, alertness and mood.
Snow reflects 95% of light, whereas a non-covered ground reflects about 15% of light. Our knowledge of the health effects of snow-covered outdoor environments are very limited, although effects on outdoor activity has been reported (Chan 2009).
A study is proposed to evaluate a large sample of pedestrians’ assessments (N=500, using questionnaires) of their perception, health and behaviour when confronting an environment that is snow-covered vs. not snow covered. A sub-population of the group will be tracked closer using actigraphy and the LYS button (N=45, light exposure- and motion loggers) as well as assessment of melatonin levels (saliva samples) in regular monthly intervals throughout the seasons. Results will be related to meteorological data such as global radiation, rain and precipitation. By studying how night-time snowglow and its effect on illumination levels (Jechow & Hölker; 2019), versus the absence of it, impact behaviour (WP 1, WP 3) (Arnberger & Eder; 2007) and physiology (WP 2), we inform design proposals responding to how night-time snow glow (vs the absence of it) could influence out-door lighting solutions (WP 4, WP 6).
Project members
Project managers
Members
Maria Johansson
Professor
Arne Lowden
Associate Professor
Ricardo Da Silva Torres
Professor