Light pollution

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/light-pollution

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the global extent of skyglow?Approximately 23% of the Earth's land area is affected by skyglow
2. What is the primary driver?Urbanization and the inefficient use of artificial lighting are major contributors
3. Why does light pollution hurt animals?Animals that need darkness, like birds and sea turtles, can get confused by bright city lights. This can stop them from finding food, avoiding danger, or reaching the sea.
4. How does light pollution affect people’s sleep?Bright lights at night can disturb our body’s natural clock, making it harder to fall asleep and sometimes causing tiredness or mood changes.

Circadian Rhythms: The body's natural 24-hour cycle that regulates sleep-wake patterns and other physiological processes.
Anthropocene: A proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
Nocturnal Ecology: The study of the behavior, interactions, and adaptations of organisms active during the night.