The United Nations predicts that the planet will have over 9.1 billion
people by 2050. As the amount of arable land continues to decline, how will we be able to provide enough food for 9.1 billion people? Providing
a sufficient amount of food for 9.1 billion people would require increasing current
food production by 70 percent. Many are skeptical
that we will be able to meet this vast target; however, this skepticism has not
stopped scientists from coming up with alternative solutions.
One of the proposed solutions is called vertical farming. The idea of this approach is to grow agriculture on each floor of a building, all year-round in cities
across the world.
The benefits of vertical farming are noteworthy: lower transportation costs, a
reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with food transportation, and less
food spoilage. The idea of growing food in cities seems logical due to higher population density.
The main challenge with vertical farming is the prodigious amount of artificial lighting (and energy) that is required. However, the energy required to power this artificial lighting can be obtained through the installation of solar panels on building rooftops. Solar energy prices have dropped dramatically over the past ten years, with prices being almost equal to coal generated electricity.
What do you think of vertical farming? Is it a viable alternative, or
should we simply accept that our earth is incapable of supporting 9.1 billion
people?
Check out this video from The Economist for more details:
By Trevor S.
Solar panels on each roof, even if they were 100% efficient, would only be enough to light about one floor of the building (the equivalent area to the roof). It still seems logical for locations close to the equator with good sunlight year round.
ReplyDeleteAs for the population reaching 9.1 billion by 2050; population growth won't be as large in our western cities, where this would be implemented. The rural areas in impoverished countries, with higher birth rates and less money, will be in greater need for food solutions and won't have the resources to solve those issues. Finding a way to stabilize the population is a separate issue.
You're right, and good point - Once you look more closely at the actual increases in population these inequalities between growth rate and food supply definitely needs to be addressed in the future.
ReplyDeleteAnother possible alternative to vertical farming - reducing food waste by better managing food distribution, transport, and storage systems. 50% of food produced worldwide is wasted. If we cut this waste down by even half, we can easily feed 9 billion people. I could go on - http://queensjournal.ca/story/2011-03-25/dialogue/redirecting-food-waste/
Thanks Yan and Topher for the insightful comments. I definitely agree with both of your points. In Reducing food wastage would also curb greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
ReplyDeleteBetween these two videos you can see a vertical farm that makes sense.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84zh7XL15n8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjh97obNgUI&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLB46CE8F8FAA77504
The first one shows the proof of concept with high school students testing the system. They grew mature lettuce in 18 days, and had ripe tomatoes in 35 days, about one third of the time stated on the seed package.
The second one takes the system, stacks it with an automated storage and retrieval system in what is being called a Farmdominium. Now this thing could change the world.