Sustainability With No Strings Attached
- Posted by: Andrew Price
- on May 13, 2008 at 4:59 pm
In Issue 010 we mentioned The Science Barge, a sustainable urban farm floating on the Hudson River in New York City. Powered by solar panels, wind energy, and biofuels, the Science Barge grows tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and lettuce with “zero net carbon emissions, zero chemical pesticides, and zero runoff.” The engineers behind the barge preach the power of hydroponics: growing plants in a liquid solution rather than soil makes for sustainable agriculture that uses less land and water and can happen anywhere. They hope these efficient urban farms will take root on New York’s rooftops. Last Saturday we invited our friends and readers to visit the barge with us. Here’s a virtual tour.
The Science Barge’s greenhouse grows enough veggies for 25-50 people for a year. It’s all hydro.
The plants’ roots draw directly from the nutrient-rich water that flows through these tubes. The water falls into a tank filled with living catfish. Then, replenished with nourishing catfish waste, it’s pumped back to the plants. It’s a closed loop.
Rainwater is used to flush the system periodically and for the greenhouse’s evaporative cooling system. The water is caught on the greenhouse roof and stored below in these tanks.
The barge’s solar panels follow the sun, making them 20% more efficient.
Field trippers enjoyed Smartwater, IZZE, Peak Organic Beer, free Urban Rustic Cafe & Market sandwiches, and Clif Bars. Thanks sponsors.
DISCUSSION: 3 Comments
Sure, they have zero net emissions if they start counting at the beginning of the production phase. We need these projects to begin looking at the carbon cost of the materials in the project. Like anything with an up front investment of capitol, companies should start talking about the carbon payoff point or the point at which enough carbon is sequestered or saved to really call the project carbon neutral. How many average maple trees would it take to store all the carbon that was burnt in developing and building the barge, including the functioning of the houses of the engineers, and their transportation to and from work?I don’t realistically expect anyone to be meeting this goal now, but these are the things we will need to consider in the future, if Carbon Neutrality is really the goal.
i dont think you did your homework a….most of the materials on the barge have been recycled or reused…windows and doors from build it green in astoria, patio and picnic tables are 100% recycled 1 and 2 plastic, and the office is an old shipping container which probably would have ended up in a landfill somewhere in newark, ny…also, they could not possibly be any closer to the metro north yonkers stop which is how most students and employees get to the barge! what more could you want from these guys…
ooops! newark, nj