As the world becomes ever more populated, resources that are necessary to sustain life are facing depletion at an accelerated rate, causing widespread panic in areas that are most affected by these shortages. While conservation is important and should be practiced however possible, there are some innovative techniques that are gaining attention from populations that will benefit immensely from their implementation. One of these is the seawater greenhouse.
A seawater greenhouse is a system that, just like it sounds, uses seawater to create a healthy ecosystem in which to grow food and create fresh water. The seawater is pumped into the greenhouse, and in addition to providing the humidity and cooling needed for plant growth within the structure, the humidity released into the surrounding environment is beneficial to existing plant life. The evaporated water can be distilled into fresh drinking water, making this system a practical solution for arid climates that don’t have ready access to fresh water for drinking as well as growing crops. Once the necessary components have been extracted from the seawater, the remainder is pumped back to the ocean with a slightly higher concentration of salt than when it was collected.
This type of operation is advantageous in several ways. The cost to pump the seawater to the greenhouse is considerably lower than the cost of bringing in fresh water, and uses less resources. There is the possibility of reclaiming energy through the turbines used to pump the water to and from the ocean. And of course, the food and water production through a virtually self-sustaining operation is unmatched for efficiency by the traditional processes that are used today. There are a few projects that have begun as early as 1992, and the success has prompted other very dry regions to investigate the plausibility of installation in their area.
There can be no argument that sustainability is a key factor in helping our planet and oceans to flourish, and the creators of the seawater greenhouse technology have made quite a mark in this endeavor. Is there a sustainable practice you enjoy?
