What is the purpose of light pollution reduction requirements?

The purpose of light pollution reduction requirements primarily centers around minimizing adverse effects on wildlife and human health. Light pollution can disrupt ecosystems by interfering with the natural behaviors of various species, particularly nocturnal animals that rely on darkness for navigation, hunting, and reproduction. Excess artificial light can lead to disorientation in wildlife, adversely affecting their survival rates.

In addition to wildlife, human populations can also experience negative health impacts from light pollution, such as disrupted sleep patterns due to the overstimulation of artificial light at night. This can contribute to a range of health issues, including stress, fatigue, and other related problems.

In contrast, while saving energy is a benefit of reducing light pollution, it is secondary to the primary purpose of safeguarding ecological and human health. Enhancing aesthetic appeal may be a positive outcome of improved lighting design, but it does not encapsulate the core mission of the requirements. Reducing construction costs is usually not a direct aim of light pollution reduction measures, as these requirements focus instead on the ecological and health benefits derived from better lighting practices.