While restricting emission remains the best possible way to stop global warming, researchers all over the world are trying to invent more efficient ways to save our planet from a devastating end which is not far away if the global carbon dioxide emission continued rising with the same pace. Awareness for the environment has certainly led to many inventions, energy saving technologies and consumption of alternate sources of energy. Given below are 7 most amazing inventions for globally warmed world.
Amazing inventions
1. Floating houses
Global warming has not only increased the temperature globally but has also taken coastal areas under its territory by flooding them in water. Flooding problems and concurrent housing shortage have led to the development of unique floating houses. First such houses were created by the firm Dura Vermeer and were installed on the coasts of Maasbommel city in 2007. They consist of hollow cubes which provide them upthrust and enable them to float in water. These houses can resist up to five meter rise in sea level.
2. Artificial glaciers
Agriculture of developing countries like India is fully dependent on rains and rivers. The rivers of India, Peru, Chile etc and many more countries are glaciers fed and melting of glaciers is posing a big problem for agriculturists of these countries. To solve this problem a concept of creating an artificial glacier has been given by Chewang Norphel, a retired civil engineer in the Ladakh region of north India. These artificial glaciers are very resourceful and provide water in summers. The glacier is created by collecting water into a shallow pool blocked with rocky embankments. Water in the pool freezes with the fall in temperature and forms a sheet of ice. When summers approach this water melts and is used to sow the crops. The largest artificial glacier till date is one kilometer long and 45 meter wide.
3. Drought- and heat-resistant crops
It’s not only difficult for human beings to survive in scorching heat but it is impossible for crops too to stay alive in such conditions. Researchers are using selective breeding methods to adapt crops with the changing climatic conditions. Behavior and characteristics of the drought-tolerant species is studied carefully and their features are added to the crops by genetic engineering. Researchers are already experimenting with oilseed rape and maize, and their drought-tolerant samples are ready with 40 percent better yield than conventional variety. Similarly tests are being carried out on wheat in Egypt which is claimed to use one-eighth of the water used by conventional wheat crop.
4. Rotating power-generating skyscrapers
A unique building has been designed by Italian-Israeli architect David Fisher in Dubai, where each floor can rotate about its central axis independent of other floors of the building. The shape of this building constantly changes with the rotation of its floors. This eco-friendly building is fitted with wind turbines between each floor which generates huge amount of energy that could power 10 similar sized buildings. After designing green building for Dubai, Fisher is designing similar towers for London, New York and Moscow.
5. Vertical farms
Producing crops closer to the consumers and using efficient techniques will cut down on wasted water and other resources used for farming. Dickson Despommier at Columbia University in New York City stated that 80 percent of the land available for farming is already being used and to feed more people by 2050 we will have to produce crops in farms in Skyscrapers. Solar powered lighting system will be used to grow the crops, and there will be provisions to recycle water and waste by natural means. Crops will be safe from flood as well as drought and required amount of irrigation could be provided.
6. Solar-powered air conditioning
High temperature rise in Australia has made summers extremely hot and unbearable. Similarly there is a huge demand for air conditioning equipments in California. Mike Dennis, an engineer at the Australian National University has found out an eco-friendly air conditioning concept that works on solar energy. The design is very efficient and gives the maximum cooling effect when the Sun is at its peak. It also provides hot water which could be used for other household purposes. Air compressed with thermal energy sprays refrigerant out of a jet, and heat is lost in this process as the refrigerant evaporates.
7. Floating sustainable cities
We have already discussed floating houses, on the similar rationale concept for laying floating city has been created. Cities like Sydney, New York and London which have to invest huge amount on flood defenses are looking forward to create such sustainable floating cities. This innovative and ingenious concept has been given by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut and is believed to be a long term solution to rising sea-levels.These cities could accommodate as many as 50,000 refugees and could generate power using various renewable sources including wind, wave and solar heat.
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