Scenic America wishes you a Happy Earth Day, a day for reflection, advocacy, and open discussion about the value of preserving our planet and its many environments.

Today, we invite you to consider a significant issue that often goes unnoticed: the environmental impact of billboards. Scenic America, the leading advocate for scenic preservation, has long fought against the proliferation of billboards and visual blight. Let’s explore why billboards are detrimental to the environment and what we can do to mitigate their impact.

Tree Cutting for Billboard Visibility

One of the most alarming practices associated with billboards is the clearcutting of trees to improve visibility. In 35 states, it’s legal for billboard companies to cut down publicly owned trees, which not only disrupts local ecosystems but also diminishes the natural beauty of our landscapes.

Trees play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, providing habitat for wildlife, and maintaining soil health. The removal of trees for billboard visibility undermines these essential environmental functions. Roadside trees are also beneficial for surrounding communities and neighborhoods, as they provide natural barrier and filtration for many forms of pollution including noise, visual, and environmental. As such, trees help maintain property values and improve quality of life.

Light Pollution

Billboards contribute significantly to light pollution, which affects both human and wildlife health. The bright light from billboards can disrupt nocturnal animals’ natural behaviors, interfere with migratory patterns, and impact plant growth by altering their day/night perception.

For humans, excessive light pollution can lead to negative impacts on our circadian rhythms and eye strain. Decreased melatonin production from light pollution can lead to sleep disorders, depression, fatigue, and stress.

By reducing the number of billboards on our roads and in our communities, we can help preserve the irreplaceable wonder and beauty of the natural night sky and protect the health of people and wildlife.

Materials and Waste

The materials used to construct billboards, such as vinyl and plastic, are often non-biodegradable and contribute to environmental waste. These materials can take hundreds of years to break down and contribute to long-term pollution. The production and disposal of billboard materials consume significant amounts of energy and resources, which further exacerbate their environmental impact.

Visual Blight

Billboards are a form of visual blight that detracts from the scenic beauty of our roadways, countryside, towns, and cities. Scenic America believes in celebrating and protecting the unique qualities of our communities. By reducing the proliferation of billboards, we can enhance the visual character of our surroundings and promote a more aesthetically pleasing environment for all.

Taking Action

On this Earth Day, Scenic America commits to safeguarding our scenic beauty by advocating for policies that limit billboard construction and promote responsible development. We have played a key role in stopping new billboard construction in hundreds of communities nationwide, and we can continue to make a difference together.

Join the scenic movement and help protect our environment from the harmful effects of billboards. Together, we can ensure that our landscapes remain beautiful and vibrant for generations to come.