Bioluminescence in New York

To replace the lights in New York City with a more economical and environmentally friendly substitute, I would use bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is one of the naturally occurring sources of light found under the luminescence category of light. Often referred to as cold light, luminescence is light in the absence of heat. There are three different types of luminescence:bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, and triboluminescence. Triboluminescence is light emitted after something is pulled apart. Chemiluminescence is light created through orchestrated chemical reactions. Bioluminescence is light that is naturally occurring during a chemical reaction produced by an organism. Of these three, bioluminescence is the best alternative light source. Animals use bioluminescence mostly in the deepest part of the ocean, where there is almost no light. Bioluminescence is often the only source of light in the most predominant environment on our Earth. On land, fireflies are an example of bioluminescence. Bioluminescence can be produced in a variety of colors and it more efficient than electrical light. In electrical light only 3% of energy is converted to light, the other 97% is wasted. In bioluminescence, 100% of energy is converted into light. Three components are needed to create bioluminescence, oxygen, luciferin (a substrate), and luciferase (an enzyme). When looking at environmental and economic factors, bioluminescence is the least wasteful and the cheapest source of light.

To utilize this light it has to come from an organic source. For example, glowing trees can be used to light highways and roads and produce no electrical bills. The most useful way to incorporate bioluminescence into New York life would be to create plants like these and use them in place of lampposts and other electrical light sources. They could be used to light the streets and public transportation systems. Glowing hanging plants could be used in homes to light daily life for customers. By incorporating bioluminescence into the city's lighting system, electrical bills would go down and we could provide more light sources that stay on longer to make sure all of the city is lit adequately. To increase interest in integrating bioluminescence into public life, one would have to launch a campaign similar to those created by the companies that produced energy saving lightbulbs. Highlighting the benefits that would come from using bioluminescence would definitely increase interest in switching to a more cost and energy efficient lighting alternative. Additionally, if the local government agreed to switch to bioluminescence, the public would see first hand the advantages of this alternative light source.

http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/

http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/lightsalive/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioluminescence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemiluminescence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboluminescence
http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.3880890.2.flat,550x550,075,f.bioluminescence-in-the-waves.jpg