Did you know that conventional agriculture is one of the most significant producers of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions?
Why are greenhouse gases a problem?
Greenhouse gases cause climate change by trapping heat, affecting various species in arid climates. The climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions also contributes to droughts, food supply disruptions, weather and wildfires.
Greenhouse gases also contribute to air pollution and smog, which can cause pulmonary and respiratory diseases.
Agriculture is one of the leading proponents of greenhouse gas emissions, as the crop fertilisers farmers use tend to contain nitrous oxide, which is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
The production, storage, processing, packaging, transportation, preparation and serving of the food we eat also releases greenhouse gases into the air at every stage.
How does vertical farming cut down on greenhouse gas emissions?
Vertical farming cuts down on the quantity of water and land needed to produce the same or more food. It also eliminates the need for herbicides and pesticides and extensive transportation.
Hydroponic and aquaponic systems are used in vertical farms, with the water being circulated in a closed loop so that it does not run off from the plants as it would in the field, meaning the plants can consume 100% of it.
Dehumidifiers implemented in vertical farm systems also collect, filter, and reuse excess water emitted by plants during the transpiration process – again saving water.
Crops are grown vertically and stacked on top of one another in vertical farms, saving land use, maximising space, and increasing productivity per unit area.
As a result, vertical farms have the potential to address some of the most critical issues confronting traditional agriculture, such as biodiversity loss and deforestation.
Lands formerly utilised for farming can recover and revert to their natural state by increasing the number of vertical farms. Furthermore, ecosystems and biodiversity will begin to recover without damaging agricultural practices.
Plants are cultivated in a controlled, enclosed environment on vertical farms. As a result, there are no pests, and pesticide application is no longer necessary.
Vertical farming also prevents eutrophication. Eutrophication enriches the water with minerals such as nitrogen and phosphorus at an above-average level due to fertilisers used in traditional agriculture flowing into rivers, lakes, and oceans. The resulting nitrates and phosphates promote algae growth, which absorbs oxygen when anaerobic zones emerge in the water, where other plants and animal species perish.
Our Gelponics technology is a range of products made from sustainable low-carbon products that do not use environmentally harmful synthetic polymers. If you choose to use Gelponics in your vertical farm, you will significantly reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to the move towards sustainable farming on a global level.
To find out more about Gelponics technology and how it can help you save water, control fertiliser, and reduce complexity in your agricultural efforts, please contact us.
