Light is energy and information, Part 1

Light is energy and information.

This energy output is in constant flux. The flux of the electromagnetic discharge of the sun contains information about what is happening on the sun's surface. Perhaps more importantly for life on Earth, the flux also represents where our planet is facing. This orientation creates the rhymic and dynamic pattern of day and night as well as the seasons.

As the light emerges from below the horizon each morning, it brings energy. The energy of the sun's radiation is soft and gentle in the morning. Most of the shorter wavelengths get filtered by the atmosphere. All the photons of ultraviolet and some of the blue spectrum get absorbed and do not reach us at such a low angle.

But make no mistake, this soft energy is potent. It sets the rhythm via circadian clocks in animals, plants and us. It tells every organism when it is in time and what will come next. The hormonal cascade that is set via the ever-changing dance of photons is perceived on a system-wide level and in every cell. More precisely, in every mitochondrion in each cell.

We co-evolved with these ancient bacteria, and they are completely integrated into us; they are us in a way, and we are them. They sense the electromagnetic fingerprint of our environment, not just light but the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared photons increase mitochondrial energy/water production. Plus, they increase the efficiency of the electron transport chain while decreasing damage that occurs as a by-product of energy/water production.

This way, most of the energy from morning light is either stored or used for repair and renewal processes. In other words, it builds our battery, repairs damage and gives us energy simultaneously, while wear and tear are minimal. The ratio between repair and damage changes as the sun rises higher in the sky.

To be continued…