The main source of light on Earth is the Sun . Sunlight provides the energy that green plants use to create sugars mostly in the form of starches, which release energy into the living things that digest them. This process of photosynthesis provides virtually all the energy used by living things. Historically, another important source of light for humans has been fire, from ancient campfires to modern kerosene lamps. With the development of lectric lights and power system, electric lighting has effectively replaced firelight. Some species of animals generate their own light, a process called bioluminescence