INTRODUCTION
New York City, although not formally known as the city of lights however New York is
almost always incandescent, aglow with amorphous light, and also known for its enchanting
nighttime glow. The town has approximately 250,000 streetlights throughout New York City.
Over the years, the city has transitioned from different use of lights, oil candles, gas lights, electric
brush lights, incandescent and fluorescent lights, mercury light, high-pressure sodium light, metal
halide, and ceramic metal halide, then finally to the most recent LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
Lights.
Climate Change is primarily driven by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Natural
greenhouse gases are necessary for life on earth. Without them, we could not live because the
planet would be inhabitable. However, an excess of these gases, the global temperature rise,
stabilization of the climate, our health, and the health of the ecosystem will be in danger. Hence
reducing emissions from the buildings is the most significant action any city can take to reduce
greenhouse gas as buildings (consumption from electricity use, heating, and cooling contribute to
greenhouse) contribute nearly three-quarters of all citywide emissions.
The city of New York's response to climate change involved two-pronged possible
approaches were mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation consists in reducing and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere either by reducing the source of these gases (for example, the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, or transport) or enhancing the sinks that accumulate and store these gases (such as oceans, forests, soil). The goal of mitigation is to avoid significant human interference with the climate system and greenhouse gas levels in a sufficient time to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, ensure that food production is not threatened, and enable economic development to proceed sustainably. Adaptation is adapting to life in a changing climate, which involves adjusting to the actual or expected future environment. The goal is to reduce the vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (like sea-level encroachment and more intense extreme weather events of food insecurity). It also encompasses making the most of potential beneficial opportunities connected with climate change (for example, longer growing seasons or increased yields in some regions). (NASA)
According to the Local Law 97 of 2019, buildings (commercial and residential) larger than 25,000 square feet meet strict greenhouse gas emissions limits starting in 2024. These limits decrease over time to keep the city's building sector on track to meet our carbon reduction goals. Buildings are expected to reduce energy consumption and, simultaneously, their gas house gas footprint by installing energy-efficient appliances and modernizing features in their homes, including LED lighting. To combat climate change, New Y...
