· The Problem:Prices of produce have been steadily increasing due to climate change affecting the quality and number of crops being produced. More sustainable methods of farming are needed.
· The Solution:Hydroponic farming in produce stores with central locations in larger towns and cities. More and more people are beginning to move closer to major cities and towns for job opportunities. A report published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos stated that, “80% of all food is expected to be consumed in cities by 2050.”(Fleming). Having these centralized-produce-producing hydroponic farms would cut the cost of transportation and reduce CO2 emissions as well as protect crops from the effects of climate change sense they are grown indoors in a controlled environment. Hydroponic farming also uses less resources than traditional farming. Water is used as much as 10 times less with hydroponic farming because it is contained and can be reused. (NPS.gov). It also requires much less space and no nutrient rich soil. In addition to fewer natural resources being used no farming equipment is required. This means less C02 emissions which is a huge deal because in 2017, agriculture represented 9 percent of all emissions when measured by economic sector. (EPA.gov)
· The Goal:My end goal is pretty simple. I essentially want to create a farm to table experience without the farm while also being much more environmentally friendly than traditional methods. It would especially be useful in places where I live with limited growing seasons. In the winter months places like Michigan rely on imported produce from other states or overseas. By the time most of the goods get here they are not nearly the quality one would expect for the steep price they are selling them for.
· Sources:
1. Fleming, Sean. "What Is Hydroponics - and Is It the Future of Farming?" World Economic Forum. Accessed June 05, 2019. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/hydroponics-future-of-farming/.
2. "Hydroponics: A Better Way to Grow Food (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. Accessed June 05, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/articles/hydroponics.htm.
3. "Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions." EPA. April 29, 2019. Accessed June 05, 2019. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions.
Hello Kristie, I agree that a more sustainable farming method is needed. I really like your idea of having hydroponic farms in produce stores centralized in larger towns and cities. Your farm to table idea will cut CO2 emissions down considerably and will create a new unique experience especially in those northern states that do have much slimmer growing seasons.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristie! I am all for your more sustainable farming in your solving a problem blog post. I've been a huge sustainable and environmentalist since I was young, so reading this piece really interests me. I like the example you gave about Michigan because it personally effects you, and personal things are sometimes one of the best motivations! Great job on your work!
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