What is Subterra?
- subterrauk
- Aug 11, 2019
- 4 min read
At SUBTERRA we have two ambitions- to revolutionise the sustainable production of food on a large scale, and to reforest or rewild as much land as possible above-ground. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH AGRICULTURE? 50% of all habitable land on earth is now used for agricultural purposes, while only 38% is now forested- and that disproportion is growing. Such intensive farming depletes the soil in which these crops are produced, turning once arable land to barren wasteground through desertification. In the past 40 years, the Earth has lost a third of its arable land to erosion and degradation. It is estimated that arable ground will be entirely depleted within the next 60 years. The UK is 30 to 40 years away from the total loss of soil fertility in parts of the country. Despite this, the UN estimates food production of earth will have to somehow increase by 69% by 2035 to feed the growing population. Trees, the most effective carbon capturers and the lungs of the world, are being felled on a massive scale, to make way for agricultural land to feed a growing population. Presently, there is a net loss of 10 billion trees every year. Rainforests, once covering 14% of the earth's land surface have been reduced to 6%, and it is estimated that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. In a time of drought and extreme weather events devastating crops all over the world, 70% of freshwater use is for human agriculture. Presently, many more sources of freshwater are being drained faster than they are being replenished, and that figure is set to rise as increasing populations require the use of more resources. Fertilizer run-off from farmed land washes into waterways, poisoning rivers and seas, choking them with algae and creating vast dead-zones visible from space. Most staple crop production is carried out in a small number of countries and exported all over the world. Transportation of agricultural goods accounts for a huge proportion of the world's carbon output. If there are any major incidents or disasters in the key food production countries, this will lead to severe disruption of the food supply for many countries around the world. Insect populations have declined globally around 82% due to changing climate, widespread pesticide use, and loss of habitat, and their numbers are still falling. The extinction of insects would result in the collapse of most ecosystems on the planet. Such growth, using current agricultural techniques, is clearly not sustainable, and will lead to mass extinction, drought, starvation and humanitarian disaster, and the destruction of the ancient ecosystems on which humanity depends on for its own survival. WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE? We have the knowledge and technology to improve the agricultural system, and make it vastly more productive, efficient, and sustainable. SUBTERRA intends to implement that technology, building controlled environment vertical hydroponic systems for food production in unused spaces deep underground, and transforming depleted agricultural land back into thriving forest and wild habitat. These systems- • Use a fraction of the water and fertilizer of traditional crops, reduced by as much as 99%. • Generate many times more harvestable produce per year than traditional crops • Are temperature stable because of being insulated by the earth • Can be installed where needed, beneath prosperous cities or in regions vulnerable to starvation or drought • Can be entirely powered by sustainable energy • Release no pollutants, such as pesticides or fertilizer run-off, into the environment • Produce fresh food locally grown, including tropical varieties, at any time of year, providing people with both healthier, more accessible food • Removes the carbon impact of transporting goods • Are shielded from extreme weather, storms, droughts and earthquakes due to being deep below the surface • Are vastly more efficient due to the usage of space and optimization of conditions
• Can be enlarged to accommodate the needs of a growing population without disrupting ecosystems above ground • Allow large amounts of land above ground to be reforested and rewilded, allowing trees to capture vast amounts of carbon and providing habitat for declining and threatened species to recover There are many forms of sustainable local gardens and orchards that actually support biodiversity, unlike large-scale, intensive monocultures, and we are happy to work with and support farmers using techniques of this kind, and see them implemented and restored in many more locations. But to tackle the large scale problems caused by the sheer volume of staple crops needed to support the world, we believe underground hydroponic techniques will provide the best and most sustainable long-term solution. WHAT IS HAPPENING NEXT? SUBTERRA has put together a diverse team of people, both experienced in hydroponic technologies and volunteers dedicated to solving the environmental disasters facing the planet, and is currently raising funds to build its first facility in a pre-existing underground space under a major city in the UK. If you wish to support the project, please consider contributing to the founding fundraiser at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/subterra Or to keep up with the latest news and discussions, join us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/subterrauk/ Instagram https://instagram.com/subterrauk?igshid=5zic7pfnmxx
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