Comments on: Going Up? Vertical Farming in High-Rises Raises Hopes http://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/ Nationally Acclaimed Politics, Science and Culture Coverage Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Emmahttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-16093 Emma Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:53:05 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-16093 There is technology being developed to channel natural sunlight indoors into lighting. This is one of them. <a href="http://www.phas.ubc.ca/ssp/solar-canopy-illumination-system/" rel="nofollow">http://www.phas.ubc.ca/ssp/solar-canopy-illuminat...</a> There is technology being developed to channel natural sunlight indoors into lighting. This is one of them. http://www.phas.ubc.ca/ssp/solar-canopy-illuminat…

]]> By: mikehttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-15692 mike Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:15:39 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-15692 The cylindrical tower is aesthetically pleasing, but is it the most practical design? In winter, the low angle of the sun would penetrate vertical glass walls for much of the day, so that would work well. In the summer, the angle of the sun is much higher and vertical windows receive much less light. Not none, certainly, but less, because the sun is overhead. The shorter periods of day light and cloudy weather of October - December are a challenge too. Roof top greenhouses should be part of the solution. Question: Will reflected light from mirrors support plant growth? Mirrors could provide light for the north side of a high-rise farm, or they could supplement light on the south side during the winter. Any figures on food output in this set up? How many pounds of apples will a tree in greenhouse produce? How many pounds of vegetables per square yard of space? The cylindrical tower is aesthetically pleasing, but is it the most practical design? In winter, the low angle of the sun would penetrate vertical glass walls for much of the day, so that would work well. In the summer, the angle of the sun is much higher and vertical windows receive much less light. Not none, certainly, but less, because the sun is overhead. The shorter periods of day light and cloudy weather of October – December are a challenge too. Roof top greenhouses should be part of the solution.

Question: Will reflected light from mirrors support plant growth? Mirrors could provide light for the north side of a high-rise farm, or they could supplement light on the south side during the winter.

Any figures on food output in this set up? How many pounds of apples will a tree in greenhouse produce? How many pounds of vegetables per square yard of space?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-15387 Anonymous Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:57:35 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-15387 This is idiotic. A _round_ tower to house crops? How do you plan to tend to those crops growing in those little boxes at the periphery of this giant cylindrical tower? The crops on the north side (in the northern hemisphere) would get no direct sunlight. It'd be better to simply build a tiered building facing south (or north in the southern hemisphere) to maximize the direct sunlight for the crops. People still need to have access to the crops for planting, tending, and harvest. Making that harder by building a vertical tower isn't going to help. Besides, in an urban setting like Manhattan, most buildings are already tall enough that the street level doesn't get enough direct sunlight to grow crops. Only the roofs and top few floors would be viable. Urban real-estate is so expensive that growing said crops would be incredibly expensive. We are talking a factor of 1000 difference between the price of land in, say Iowa, vs Manhattan. How do you plan to put 1000x more crops on that land? A giant cylindrical tower is not the answer. This is idiotic. A _round_ tower to house crops? How do you plan to tend to those crops growing in those little boxes at the periphery of this giant cylindrical tower? The crops on the north side (in the northern hemisphere) would get no direct sunlight. It'd be better to simply build a tiered building facing south (or north in the southern hemisphere) to maximize the direct sunlight for the crops. People still need to have access to the crops for planting, tending, and harvest. Making that harder by building a vertical tower isn't going to help.

Besides, in an urban setting like Manhattan, most buildings are already tall enough that the street level doesn't get enough direct sunlight to grow crops. Only the roofs and top few floors would be viable.

Urban real-estate is so expensive that growing said crops would be incredibly expensive. We are talking a factor of 1000 difference between the price of land in, say Iowa, vs Manhattan. How do you plan to put 1000x more crops on that land? A giant cylindrical tower is not the answer.

]]> By: Maxohttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-15379 Maxo Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:50:15 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-15379 Just as hospitals develop problems with staph infections and cruise ships develop problems with noraviri (sp), these buildings would develop problems with fungal and parasitic organisms. Not a reason to not do this- just something to prepare for and build in. I agree with Kenneth tho. The fundamental problem is we are now beyond the earth's carrying capacity. Gently reduce the population back to 2 billion over the next 60 years by removing tax incentives to have more children. Otherwise, as we hit 9 billion (and perhaps 11 billion), it is not only going to get ugly but at some point it will collapse. Just as hospitals develop problems with staph infections and cruise ships develop problems with noraviri (sp), these buildings would develop problems with fungal and parasitic organisms.

Not a reason to not do this- just something to prepare for and build in.

I agree with Kenneth tho. The fundamental problem is we are now beyond the earth’s carrying capacity. Gently reduce the population back to 2 billion over the next 60 years by removing tax incentives to have more children. Otherwise, as we hit 9 billion (and perhaps 11 billion), it is not only going to get ugly but at some point it will collapse.

]]> By: kennethhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-15308 kenneth Sun, 30 May 2010 09:25:51 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-15308 surely a more common sense solution is to forget this building and take steps to drastically reduce the worlds population. Taxation of Big families and getting rid of a benefits systems that encourages the poor to have children to get social house as well Tax redution or rebate if you dont have kids is a better way forward. surely a more common sense solution is to forget this building and take steps to drastically reduce the worlds population. Taxation of Big families and getting rid of a benefits systems that encourages the poor to have children to get social house as well Tax redution or rebate if you dont have kids is a better way forward.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-1792 Anonymous Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:20:42 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-1792 Enough with the sci-fi dreaming! This is a reality and here is the company actually doing it:Time Magazine says Valcent's Vertical Farming Technology one of the Top 50 Best Innovations of 2009: http://bit.ly/5zDIqh Enough with the sci-fi dreaming! This is a reality and here is the company actually doing it:

Time Magazine says Valcent’s Vertical Farming Technology one of the Top 50 Best Innovations of 2009: http://bit.ly/5zDIqh

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-1790 Anonymous Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:16:08 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-1790 "I can't think of any technology that addresses more urgent issues than Valcent's vertical farming system", says RFK Jr http://bit.ly/cPb00g “I can’t think of any technology that addresses more urgent issues than Valcent’s vertical farming system”, says RFK Jr http://bit.ly/cPb00g

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-770 Anonymous User Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:47:15 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-770 Each floor of the vertical farm shades the one below. Virtual all of the light will need to come from electricity. This will at least triple the electricity needed compared to modern greenhouses with properly controlled supplemental lighting. How does one afford that? Each floor of the vertical farm shades the one below. Virtual all of the light will need to come from electricity. This will at least triple the electricity needed compared to modern greenhouses with properly controlled supplemental lighting. How does one afford that?

]]> By: Robin Kitchinghttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-581 Robin Kitching Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:55:36 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-581 As a beekeeper I can see great benefit to this system as all aspects are internally controled. Currently the Small Hive Beetle and a mite (Varroa Destructor) are causing world wide damage to the apiary industry threatening pollination of our food crops. Both of these threats could be excluded from the enclosed environment. As a beekeeper I can see great benefit to this system as all aspects are internally controled. Currently the Small Hive Beetle and a mite (Varroa Destructor) are causing world wide damage to the apiary industry threatening pollination of our food crops. Both of these threats could be excluded from the enclosed environment.

]]> By: mj robinsonmjhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-540 mj robinsonmj Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:08:43 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-540 The heavy water issue is already addressed in human use for residential and business purposes on Very tall buildings. I don't think that should be a deterrent. As in many cities, we have millions of square feet of vacant factory space which in my mind should also be considered. The heavy water issue is already addressed in human use for residential and business purposes on Very tall buildings. I don’t think that should be a deterrent. As in many cities, we have millions of square feet of vacant factory space which in my mind should also be considered.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-535 Anonymous User Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:49:40 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-535 If its hydro and unreliant on soil, why arent there farms already in desert countries? And why a tower? There is plenty of desert acreage available to just build simple greenhouses. If its hydro and unreliant on soil, why arent there farms already in desert countries? And why a tower? There is plenty of desert acreage available to just build simple greenhouses.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-496 Anonymous User Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:34:23 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-496 Yes, sadly becuase of the way our current economies are driven it very unlikely that these will be built on anything near the scale needed to provide sufficient crops for the worlds growing population. High rise buildings are extremely expensive to build, and the return profit from farming will not be enough to tempt private investors into the industry. Which make me pretty sad. As far as Universities go there are many choices, one in England would be Writtle College an agricultural and design based college 30 minutes from London by train. With a combination of argriculture, landscape and interior architecture students, something like this could be a possibility. Yet again funding would be the main issue. Yes, sadly becuase of the way our current economies are driven it very unlikely that these will be built on anything near the scale needed to provide sufficient crops for the worlds growing population. High rise buildings are extremely expensive to build, and the return profit from farming will not be enough to tempt private investors into the industry. Which make me pretty sad. As far as Universities go there are many choices, one in England would be Writtle College an agricultural and design based college 30 minutes from London by train. With a combination of argriculture, landscape and interior architecture students, something like this could be a possibility. Yet again funding would be the main issue.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-404 Anonymous User Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:37:35 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-404 This is obviously a great idea for the future. The big question will be if it is economically viable. We live in a society that thrives on designed obsolescence to drive an economy and there will be many questions from the business community about it's ability to generate profit because it is an expensive ndertaking. Sad but true. This is obviously a great idea for the future. The big question will be if it is economically viable. We live in a society that thrives on designed obsolescence to drive an economy and there will be many questions from the business community about it’s ability to generate profit because it is an expensive ndertaking. Sad but true.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-376 Anonymous User Mon, 25 May 2009 22:51:57 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-376 Oh, I SO hope something like this becomes a reality soon. It sounds sooo awesome. I wonder what University might be able to integrate such a building into their campus, the way he suggested. It does seem like it could be a huge step forward in our ability to create food efficiently, sustainably, and in all parts of the world. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Oh, I SO hope something like this becomes a reality soon. It sounds sooo awesome. I wonder what University might be able to integrate such a building into their campus, the way he suggested. It does seem like it could be a huge step forward in our ability to create food efficiently, sustainably, and in all parts of the world. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

]]> By: Anonymous Userhttp://www.miller-mccune.com/science-environment/farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes-3705/#comment-368 Anonymous User Wed, 20 May 2009 17:54:12 +0000 http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/2009/05/19/going-up-farming-in-high-rises-raises-hopes/#comment-368 That is why they will use aero/hydroponics.... That is why they will use aero/hydroponics….

]]>