MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Farm buildings

One-line solution summary:

Farm buildings: a spiral of hydroponics and fishes so to maximize food production while reducing transportation emissions

Pitch your solution.

Redesign buildings in highly populated cities so to create an environment where high nutrients come from above (top of the building) fertilize vegetables depending on amount of minerals needed all the way to lower floor (hydroponic way) , feed animals (mostly fish and chickens) until reaching the bottom of the building as pure water. Imagine a giant slide which is powered by gravity where minerals and nutrients are assimilated and repurposed all the way down. This way we would not only reduce the amount of trucks entering and leaving the city but also feed a neighborhood with fresh renewable vegetables. Collect rain and store it in such a way that it's use is optimized to feed the cycle of the building, use sun exposure and ventilation with open/close windows and mirrors so to maximize plants growth.

What specific problem are you solving?

Reduce emissions while feeding a neighborhood

Food accounts for 10 - 30% of a household’s carbon footprint, typically a higher portion in lower-income households.2 The production of food accounts for 68% of emissions, while its transportation accounts for 5%.4
Food production emissions consist mainly of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (NO2), and methane (CH4), which result primarily from agricultural practices.5
Meat products have larger carbon footprints per calorie than grain or vegetable products because of the inefficient transformation of plant energy to animal energy, along with the methane released from manure management and enteric fermentation in ruminants.5
Ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats produced 175 million metric tons (mmt) in CO2 equivalents of enteric methane in the U.S. in 2017.6
Eliminating the transport of food for one year could save the GHG equivalent of driving 1,000 miles, while shifting to a vegetarian meal one day a week could save the equivalent of driving 1,160 miles.

In the US, each household produces 48 tons of greenhouse gases. Transport, housing and food have the three largest carbon footprints. Food produces about 8 tons of emissions per household, or about 17% of the total. Worldwide

What is your solution?

Redesign enough urban buildings especially in very populated cities in order to reduce transportation carbon print while feeding local inhabitants. The hydroponic idea is not new but if applied properly with a studied feeding cycle in large buildings, it could not only reduce the amount of land needed but cheaply feed entire neighborhoods. The process should be defined by biologists and chemists so to properly calculate the top to bottom cycle and define the floor by floor needs and address them along the way. Solar, wind, rain, should be part of the solution and studied so to solve animals and plant's needs. Eliminating chemicals and packaging in the process should also be very favorable for the environment.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

This solution would help large high density populated areas where the use of land is limited and where transportation is frequently used to satisfy local food supplies. It would feed neighborhoods lowering the cost of food as transportation cost would be quasi eliminated. Calculating the $ amount of reducing carbon print should also be considered and taken in consideration not only by helping local environment but as a global factor.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Promote the shift towards low-impact, diverse, and nutritious diets, including low-carbon protein options

Explain how the problem, your solution, and your solution’s target population relate to the Challenge and your selected dimension.

Helping feed people while reducing carbon print are 2 challenges that need to be addressed sooner rather than later, this solution addresses both and if taken seriously could take advantage of abandoned buildings or redesigning existing ones so to reduce the amount of resources needed to achieve them.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Boulder, Colorado, USA

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Who is the primary delegate for your solution?

Executive director