Learn about the key environmental concern of resource depletion addressed in the Energy and Atmosphere category of LEED green building certification. Understand how LEED promotes energy efficiency to conserve natural resources.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following is an Environmental Concern when referring to Energy and Atmosphere?
A. Ventilation levels
B. Occupant comfort
C. Resource depletion
D. Use of native species
Answer
C. Resource depletion
Explanation
Resource depletion is a major environmental concern related to energy use. The extraction and use of non-renewable energy resources (such as fossil fuels) can lead to their depletion over time. This is why strategies that reduce energy use or utilize renewable energy sources are important in green building practices.
The Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category in LEED focuses on reducing energy consumption and promoting the use of renewable energy sources in order to address the environmental concern of resource depletion. The EA credits encourage strategies such as:
- Optimizing energy performance through efficient design and systems
- Using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power
- Commissioning building systems to ensure they operate as intended
- Measuring and verifying energy consumption to identify additional savings opportunities
By reducing the use of non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels, LEED-certified buildings help conserve finite natural resources and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with resource depletion, such as air pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.
The other answer choices, while relevant to green buildings, do not directly relate to the primary environmental concern of the Energy and Atmosphere category:
A. Ventilation levels – addressed in the Indoor Environmental Quality category
B. Occupant comfort – a secondary benefit of efficient and well-designed energy systems
D. Use of native species – addressed in the Sustainable Sites category
Therefore, resource depletion (C) is the environmental concern most closely associated with the goals and credits of the Energy and Atmosphere category in LEED.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.