With today's unpredictable climate, producing an ample food supply for the world's population has become increasingly challenging, especially in developing countries. Much of the farmland in these areas have been made available by clearing rainforests, which only compounds the problem of global warming. Even after the land has been cleared, there's no guarantee that the field will produce a bountiful harvest. Often, a flood, drought, or other natural disaster will prevail, leaving farmers with little or no reward for all their hard work. If the crops do come through, they must be shipped hundreds or thousands of miles to the highest bidding consumers all around the world, and all too often, thrown in the trash where they end up in a landfill. We know our population is growing and demand for food is growing. We know weather conditions will only get worse. How will we adapt as a species to the new habitat that we've created for ourselves? What is the solution?

Dr. Dickson Despommier, of Columbia University, was on the Colbert Report a few nights ago proposing an interesting concept: high density vertical farming in skyscrapers. This is a revolutionary idea that can be a viable solution to end the world's food shortages and improve quality of life everywhere. Each skyscraper will have about 20-50 floors and multiply land potential quite efficiently. Each indoor acre is typically equal to 4-6 acres depending on the crop. In the case of strawberries, 30 acres worth can be grown on just one acre! Since the indoor environment can be controlled, there will be no need for pesticides and herbicides. This is wonderful because it would eliminate agricultural runoff which is currently a serious issue with no end in sight.

There are so many other benefits. The structure is completely self-sustaining and can actually add energy to the grid. Atop the building is a windmill, solar panel, or other clean energy source. Inside the building, methane gas from the animal sector is trapped, and instead of drifting off into our atmosphere, gets converted into energy to sell back to the grid. Far less water is consumed than horizontal land farming. The water that is used is captured and recycled, including runoff. Non-edible organic scraps are composted along with waste from animals to nourish the crops. There are no tractors or other gas powered polluters working the land. Shipping and "food miles" are reduced to near zero because with vertical farming, all types of exotic fruits and veggies can be produced by simulating the natural environment of those species. The most delicious avocados can be had in the heart of New York City in the dead of winter.

We're not talking a family owned entity here. The estimated cost of a 21 floor building (588 acre potential) is set around $84 million, with an operating cost of $5 million per year, and a revenue of $18 million per year based on Manhattan produce prices. (CNN Money) So who will take the leap? Who will front the dough? Interest has been expressed by different corporations, specifically 20 "food" companies known as The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, which includes Coca-cola, McDonald's, and Kraft. (CNN Money) That's all fine and good, but it would also be nice to have some publicly funded ones where healthy food could be produced for schools, and jails. I could even imagine each school producing some of their own food in rooftop greenhouse farms- sans animals. The students would participate in all aspects as an educational experience. If they're using Manhattan produce prices to figure the revenue, however, it would be much less profitable for the public sector.

So, what happens to the family farmers that were previously growing the food? Vertical Farms says the land can be reforested, but that's strictly theoretical since we're talking private land, I imagine it will be slated for some other profit seeking venture, like ethanol and bio-diesel production. I mean, what farmer is going to give up his income to plant trees? It would be nice though. Besides, unless weather gets really inhospitable, we'll need land farmers too.

We have the foresight and the resources right now to prepare for our growing population by building vertical farms in our city centers. How long will it take for us to put this concept into action? How many disasters must we learn from before we demand a stable, dependable food supply?

How stuff works- Vertical Farms