No other species other than man has been able to radically alter the planet in order to sustain agriculture. There are tropical ants that harvest leaves in order to raise fungi for the colony, but most vertebrates must rely on the natural food chain. Centuries of technological development have allowed humans to spread to every livable spot on Earth, but at a very high environmental cost. Vertical farming systems today are becoming an increasingly realistic option.
As the amount of water and arable land suited to agriculture continues to decline as a result of increasing demand and climate change, this concept is no longer relegated to the science-fiction shelf. The idea of creating sustainable farms that are housed in specially built skyscrapers has existed for several decades, but has not been considered a serious solution until the 21st century.
The idealized vision of a peaceful family farm has disappeared in real life. To be profitable, big agriculture must rely on industrial practices that stress heavy pesticide use and practice mono-culture with genetically engineered plants. Even though few people would sensibly or realistically argue for scaling down agribusiness, current practices have resulted in fragmented natural ecosystems and disappearing habitats.
Back-yard or deck gardens often make use of multi-tiered pots having several growing levels, and large-scale vertical agriculture uses the same principles. Many plants that are traditionally raised on large outdoor plots actually thrive when planted in upright structures. When applied to high-rise agriculture, comparable harvests are produced using less soil and supplemental fertilizer, allowing farms to flourish in the shadow of skyscrapers.
These methods expand on the same principles used by greenhouses, which have existed in various forms for hundreds of years. Theoretically, the inhabitants of a major city could grow enough food for all inhabitants without resorting to imports. Although most of the experimental farms today concentrate on plant-life, animals such as chickens or pigs already adapt well to life in small spaces.
The advantages of this type of growing system are numerous. As long as the power supply remains consistent, there is little or no weather-related crop damage. Pesticide runoff that currently plagues agricultural areas becomes practically non-existent, as does reliance on fossil fuels to power machinery or make field fertilizers. Water can easily be reclaimed and reused, and there are fewer opportunities for plant and animal disease transmission.
Most crop field waste would be reduced, and the remaining vegetable materials recycled. Big agriculture produces large quantities of methane, a gas that can be scrubbed and burned for electrical generation in a high-rise production facility. Unused power could be fed to the grid, much like solar panels do today. Urban workers with grim employment prospects could find rewarding jobs raising crops on a year-round schedule.
The environment itself would see the greatest benefits. When seemingly invincible civilizations have collapsed in the past, nature has reclaimed the land very quickly. Cutting back on destructive farming would encourage the same kind of resurgence in many regions currently experiencing environmental and ecological stress. Traditional practices will always be used, but high-rise food production is becoming a practical alternative.
As the amount of water and arable land suited to agriculture continues to decline as a result of increasing demand and climate change, this concept is no longer relegated to the science-fiction shelf. The idea of creating sustainable farms that are housed in specially built skyscrapers has existed for several decades, but has not been considered a serious solution until the 21st century.
The idealized vision of a peaceful family farm has disappeared in real life. To be profitable, big agriculture must rely on industrial practices that stress heavy pesticide use and practice mono-culture with genetically engineered plants. Even though few people would sensibly or realistically argue for scaling down agribusiness, current practices have resulted in fragmented natural ecosystems and disappearing habitats.
Back-yard or deck gardens often make use of multi-tiered pots having several growing levels, and large-scale vertical agriculture uses the same principles. Many plants that are traditionally raised on large outdoor plots actually thrive when planted in upright structures. When applied to high-rise agriculture, comparable harvests are produced using less soil and supplemental fertilizer, allowing farms to flourish in the shadow of skyscrapers.
These methods expand on the same principles used by greenhouses, which have existed in various forms for hundreds of years. Theoretically, the inhabitants of a major city could grow enough food for all inhabitants without resorting to imports. Although most of the experimental farms today concentrate on plant-life, animals such as chickens or pigs already adapt well to life in small spaces.
The advantages of this type of growing system are numerous. As long as the power supply remains consistent, there is little or no weather-related crop damage. Pesticide runoff that currently plagues agricultural areas becomes practically non-existent, as does reliance on fossil fuels to power machinery or make field fertilizers. Water can easily be reclaimed and reused, and there are fewer opportunities for plant and animal disease transmission.
Most crop field waste would be reduced, and the remaining vegetable materials recycled. Big agriculture produces large quantities of methane, a gas that can be scrubbed and burned for electrical generation in a high-rise production facility. Unused power could be fed to the grid, much like solar panels do today. Urban workers with grim employment prospects could find rewarding jobs raising crops on a year-round schedule.
The environment itself would see the greatest benefits. When seemingly invincible civilizations have collapsed in the past, nature has reclaimed the land very quickly. Cutting back on destructive farming would encourage the same kind of resurgence in many regions currently experiencing environmental and ecological stress. Traditional practices will always be used, but high-rise food production is becoming a practical alternative.
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