LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

Why is light pollution considered problematic?

1. It increases energy costs for buildings

2. It disrupts nocturnal ecosystems

3. It affects community safety during nighttime

4. It reduces visibility for streetlights

The correct answer is: It disrupts nocturnal ecosystems

Light pollution is considered problematic primarily because it disrupts nocturnal ecosystems. Many animals rely on natural cycles of light and darkness for their biological processes, such as feeding, mating, and migration. Excess artificial light interferes with these processes, leading to negative impacts on wildlife, including disorientation and altered behavior patterns. This disruption can have cascading effects on the ecosystem as a whole, affecting everything from food chains to habitat stability. While the other options address issues related to light pollution, they do not capture the broader ecological impact. Increased energy costs can be a consequence of high levels of artificial lighting, but this does not directly highlight the ecological implications. Community safety during nighttime is often improved with proper lighting rather than hindered by light pollution, and reduced visibility for streetlights typically pertains to poorly designed lighting rather than the phenomenon of light pollution itself. Thus, the disruption to nocturnal ecosystems stands out as a critical reason for concern regarding light pollution.