Scaling of Greenhouse Crop Production in Low Sunlight Scenarios
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K. A. Alvarado, A. Mill, J. M. Pearce, A. Vocaet, D. C. Denkenberger
Summary
Scaling of relatively low-tech, low-cost greenhouses to produce crops in a global catastrophe involving a partial blockage of sunlight serves as a possible method of mitigating the risk of mass human starvation. The scaling method of greenhouses suggested by Alvarado et al. (2020) could sustain 36% of the global population after a construction period of 12 months, with the potential of feeding 100% of the world’s population after 30 months.
Abstract
During a global catastrophe such as a nuclear winter, in which sunlight and temperatures are reduced across every latitude, to maintain global agricultural output it is necessary to grow some crops under structures. This study designs a method for scaling up crop production in low-tech greenhouses to contribute to global food sustainability during global catastrophic conditions. Constructing low-tech greenhouses would obviate growing crops using more expensive and energy intensive artificial light.