An Environmental Cost-Benefit Analysis of Vertical Farming
One of the most pressing threats of climate change is the associated impact upon global agriculture. Rising temperatures, increased frequency of droughts, and destructive weather events are issues that create difficulty for crops to successfully enter the food supply. Vertical farms - that is, indoor facilities that use LED lights and controlled environments for crop growth - have been touted as the one-stop solution to issues associated with traditional agriculture. Although these indoor farms provide a vast breadth of benefits, they are not without their costs.
What are vertical farms?
In many aspects, vertical farms seem to be the optimal choice compared to a traditional farm. These farms can be up to 157 times more productive as crops are stacked on top of one another in tall shelves, whereas traditional farms can only utilize horizontal real estate at ground level. Vertical farms also use vastly less water as irrigation can be pumped directly to plants that rest within growing trays, compared to sprinkler systems that involve high evaporation loss. Additionally, vertical farms bring a whole new perspective to “local produce”. These farms may be located in warehouses within urban centers, and produce can be delivered over only a few miles before reaching the customer. Other benefits include healthier produce from lack of pests, decreased waste in the growing process, avoidance of agricultural depletion, and reliable, consistent crop production.
Energy impact of vertical farms
Dramatic issues come into light when considering the energy impact of a vertical farm. While a traditional farm utilizes energy from the sun for crop growth, a vertical farm must rely upon the electrical grid to power LED lights. It is estimated that 1 square foot of vertical growing area may require more than 3 square feet of solar panel coverage to provide sufficient power. These farms are also used to grow short-lifecycle crops such as leafy greens and tomatoes - these crops pose a small environmental impact compared to crops such as wheat and corn, and processes for raising livestock, which suggests that bigger agricultural issues are at hand.
The key takeaway
Calculations demonstrate that a vertically-grown head of lettuce will often have an equivalent (or greater) carbon footprint than its traditional counterpart. From a perspective focused purely on emissions, vertical farms are not a permanent solution.
However, the scope of issues extends beyond emissions. Vertical farms have the edge on traditional ones when considering nutrient depletion, water use, and efficient urban supply chains - to name a few issues. When considering the future of farming, vertical farms will be a long-term viable solution, especially given increased investments into renewable energy and rising efficiency for LED lights.
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