Since there are no currently active contests, we have switched Climate CoLab to read-only mode.
Learn more at https://climatecolab.org/page/readonly.
Skip navigation
7comments
Share conversation: Share via:

Olawale Olaniyan

May 20, 2015
10:15

Fellow


1 |
Share via:
Hi gas2green, You may want to search online and provide a few references to back up your idea. Also, you may want to read through a similar contest via: https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1301416/planId/1315008 Best wishes, olaniyan Connector Catalyst

Osero Stephen

May 21, 2015
08:38

Fellow


2 |
Share via:
Thanks for your great proposal. It's an ambitious work. Best of luck. Osero Climate CoLab Fellow

Kati Wenzel

Jun 8, 2015
09:12

Member


3 |
Share via:
Hi gas2green, I really like the idea behind your proposal. However, as a biologist, I feel that your proposal could benefit from a few more references to existing research on elevated CO2 levels and resulting increase (or decrease) in plant productivity. The results on this have not all been showing that plants indeed produce better under elevated CO2 (or at least not those plant parts that we are interested in). By also taking some of those studies into account or by at least mentioning that different results exist I feel your proposal could be further improved. Essentially, this can already be achieved by changing the language a bit to formulate "might boost productivity by 30-40%". I guess, what I am missing is a bit of a discussion of already existing research on increased CO2 and plant productivity and why hydroponics as a methodology could be the answer. For example, without being an expert on this, FACE (Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment) experiments seem to have shown that outside field trials have not shown the expected boost in productivity under higher CO2 that was expected from lab trials. You could potentially build on such results and argue that this could be a reason to take agricultural production essentially back to the lab (and upgrade to a closed hydroponic system) where higher yields have been shown in the past. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01224.x/abstract http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/effects-of-rising-atmospheric-concentrations-of-carbon-13254108 Best wishes for the further development of your proposal, Kati

Sergio Pena

Jun 9, 2015
01:12

Catalyst


4 |
Share via:
Dearr Contributor, interesting proposal. Have you thought about the implementation of the proposal in a specific country? What about the elements of implementation and the driving forces and th typology of responses of the implementation? Have you thought about coordination with other projects like "KEYS, Balanced GHG / Sustainable Land Resources, agriculture/livestock/forestry / sustainablenergies"? It might be a complementary project. Best regards. Sergio Pena Connector Catalyst

Angélica Lara P.r.

Jun 9, 2015
04:59

Fellow


5 |
Share via:
Hi, For me this is a great proposal, it's a big challenge. However, I would like to know the specific place where you will develop your project?... I'm agree with the comment of Sergio, it would be better if you can coordinate with other projects of livestock and forestry. Best regards

Mark Everson

Jun 9, 2015
05:16

Member


6 |
Share via:
Proposal
contributor
Hallo Sergio, hallo Angelica! Thanks very much for the great input, brilliant to be getting such interest! I haven't to be honest thought much about location; the concept majors on providing a resilient environment proof against most external factors, while being flexible enough to work with whatever grows best in your patch - biomass or food, doesn't matter. Can grow palms or pine trees, breadfruit or broccoli just the same but do it all in a way that's proof against pest, disease, drought, or climate change and do so while dramatically limiting fertilizer run-off pollution and re-capturing the vast amount of water vapor we allow to transpire to atmosphere. Oh, and capturing significant amounts of CO2. If I sound passionate it's because I honestly believe the approach can solve many of the big issues facing us, with no downside. It's a big claim but I really do think it's legit - if I didn't I wouldn't have bothered with the proposal! Re. coordinating with other projects, I'd love to - hopefully we can get together in future. As a stand-alone concept I think this has legs, but will have far more if we can tie-up with others to build a unified solution. I hope this answers your comments satisfactorily; I'll of course be happy to discuss further :) Thanks again for the great input, really appreciated! Cheers Mark

Mark Everson

Jun 15, 2015
03:34

Member


7 |
Share via:
Proposal
contributor
Interestingly, http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/global-warming-high-carbon-air-affects-crop-nutrient-quality-1505945 reports that elevated atmospheric CO2 lowers plant nutrient quality by suppressing nitrogen uptake from soil. Elevated atmospheric CO2 levels we all know are unavoidable in the short/medium term, so the impact on global food and other production may be severe. Since HCC is a system conceived around growing plants at elevated CO2 levels, we need to review the effect of this finding on HCC's potential. Let's accordingly consider the three key scenarios. 1. If HCC is growing food, then since more plants will be needed if nutrition levels are depressed, and HCC allows more to be grown faster, it will contribute to dealing with the problem. Food remains food even if of reduced nutritional value and since this effect will impact global open-field production the alternatives are few. It should be added that the OTHER benefits of HCC - immunity from weather/climate effects, pest and disease, coupled with very high land area efficiency - of course continue to apply. 2. If HCC is used for timber or construction materials - see https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/1301412/planId/1317702 - then the nutrient level is less important although - potentially - thicker timber may need to be used if strength is compromised. Either way, growing more faster is advantageous. 3. If HCC is used for biomass for energy then nutrient level is irrelevant; the benefits of accelerated growth stand by themselves. From each perspective, this discovery appears to add weight to the need for HCC, rather than detract from its potential.