Best rated vertical growing systems factory: Year-Round Food Production – Controlled growing environments in warehouses enable the cultivation of seasonal foods all year round. This helps ensure consistent supply and shorter harvest times without compromising produce quality. Consumers can then enjoy their favorite fresh fruits and greens regardless of the season and without shipping them in from far away. Adverse Weather Protection – Extreme weather can severely affect traditional farming — freezing temperatures stifle plant growth, droughts cause crops to die, excessive rain damages the soil and so on. Growing crops in climate-controlled warehouses protects them from inclement weather so such natural catastrophes don’t impact crop yields and ensure predictable harvests. Find additional details on vertical farming solution.

One such method that is, quite literally, on the up, is vertical farming. With more and more industry players embracing this innovative growing method, citing it as a more sustainable, smarter way to address a looming global food shortage, it’s little surprise that the vertical farming market is projected to grow over the next decade. In 2021, the Global Vertical Farming Market amounted to around $3.5 billion, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 25.3% from 2022 to 2030, reaching $25.7 billion by 2030.

While vertical farming is an exciting new development for the food supply sector, this new method is not without its drawbacks. First, the consumer cost of items grown in vertical farms is much higher than the costs of traditionally grown items. This results from the massive amount of funding still needed to build farms large enough to allow for lower prices. Equipment also adds to the price tag; heating and cooling systems, shading technologies, lights, environmental controls, and other equipment all require considerable capital.

OptiClimatefarm lab team has been working on something even more unusual – saffron, aka the world’s most expensive spice. For years, the team has commercialized the growing of vertical leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes & peppers for global growers. 4 tons of saffron seed balls could be grown in only 100m2 OptiClimatefarm with Smart Climate + Artificial Light vertical grow rack technology to optimize planting density in a controlled environment indoors.

A good HVAC system can contribute to a sustainable vertical farming operation by reducing energy consumption, water consumption, and operational costs. HVAC systems can improve water quality by regulating the pH and dissolved oxygen in the water, which is important for plant growth. To optimize an HVAC system for vertical farming, there are several important considerations to keep in mind to choose the right HVAC system for your vertical farming operation, considering your specific needs and circumstances: There are different types of HVAC systems available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some systems regulate temperature and humidity, while others regulate CO2.

Vertical farming is a promising solution to address the challenges presented by increasing population growth. However, energy-efficient HVAC techniques are critical to the success and sustainability of these operations. By implementing cutting-edge solutions such as smart HVAC controls, heat recovery systems, and advanced insulation, vertical farms can optimize energy usage and reduce their environmental impact. The advantages of energy-efficient HVAC techniques include cost savings, increased crop yield, improved crop quality, and enhanced reliability. Embracing energy efficiency in vertical farming not only ensures continued food production but also contributes to a greener and more sustainable future.

In a few decades, indoor city farms or vertical farms have become popular for producing healthy food year-round in urban environments and harsh climates. We began a long-term series of research studies on DFT tomatoes at our OptiClimatefarm R&D Center. To develop an effective DFT indoor farm, we built on our years of know-how and experience from both greenhouse growers and vertical farms. Over the past decade, tomato production has been optimized with high-tech automation and data management. We can use this tremendous amount of knowledge and adapt and implement the same vision and technology in an indoor farm. See extra information on opticlimatefarm.com.

The OptiClimate Farm product series are suitable for indoor vertical farming and shipping container farming, which divided into indoor plant factories and container plant factories. You only need to provide your area and planting needs, and we will professionally design the layout for you and provide supporting combination products, including planting air conditioners, 3-function combined planting tanks, vertical combined planting shelf, hydroponic digital control system, CO2 intelligent control system, automatic humidification system, nutrient solution UV sterilization system, T8 plant light and air shower system, etc. Whatever you make vertical farming at home or outdoor, OptiClimate Farm provides the intelligent growth solutions for our partners. Hope for your cooperations in the future!

In addition, it is necessary to map the environment so that the design of, for example, a chiller/cooling water installation can also take the noise level into account. Higher requirements will be placed in a built environment than in an industrial area. On top of that, lighting is also of great importance in vertical farming. It is important to adjust the lighting to the HVAC system so that an optimal growing environment is created. In addition, controlling lighting can also help reduce energy consumption.

Commercial grow room air conditioner manufacturers from China: High-efficiency growing facilities hosting plants at ten and twenty deep, growing at double time, and with less of an environmental footprint? It all sounds too good to be true… And it just may be. These brilliant feats of agricultural engineering come with a steep price tag — one large indoor vertical farm costs millions of dollars. Agritecture Consulting estimates the cost of a 30,000-square-foot facility for leafy greens and herbs near New York City at almost $4 million in startup capital – and that’s without labor. See more info on https://www.opticlimatefarm.com/products-11253.

Consistent climate control in vertical farming systems minimizes the impact of adverse weather conditions on crop production. Some crops like broccoli and radish are even able to be produced in such a way that their nutrients are higher than what you would get in the field. With precise control over temperature, humidity, and even CO2 levels, vertical farms can help us mitigate changing climates. The controlled indoor environments in vertical farms minimize pest threats, reducing the dependence on chemical pesticides. The result is cleaner produce with fewer chemical residues, aligning with the growing demand for organic and sustainable food. It’s still a good idea to wash your produce regardless of how it’s grown!

Vertical farms may make use of soil, aeroponic, or hydroponic growing techniques. Part of the urban farming trend, vertical farming is building on the success of urban greenhouses, such as those found in city centers on top of commercial buildings. Vertical farmers may incorporate growing systems into rooftop settings, onto the sides of commercial high rises, or into what’s referred to as “farmscrapers.” Growing fresh food has traditionally been subject to the elements: location, climate, seasonal conditions, and weather trends are just the start of the challenges that can impact plant health and crop yield.

As if the ability to garden anywhere, in any environment, insusceptibility to harsh climate and weather, and almost complete immunity to pests weren’t enough to sway farmers to lean towards this new agricultural method, there are other benefits to vertical farming. These include consistently high-quality produce, no dependency on sunlight, the ability to grow produce closer to the consumer base and utilize renewable energy for power, and enhanced consumer safety as the risk of pathogens is virtually eliminated.

Artificial light vertical multi-layer growth racks are used to colonize saffron seed balls and provide a dedicated spectral formula for lighting. Temperature, humidity, airflow, light and CO2 can be precisely controlled using OptiClimat smart climate growing ACs and PLC integrated control system. OptiClimate’s smart climate growing system works with the parameters of the climatic conditions of the saffron origin in Jammu or Kashmir. Saffron grows everything freely by its timeline in OptiClimatefarm. That means a 100m2 indoor growroom could plant as the same number of saffron seed balls as in a 15-acre outdoor field . Our vertical farming technology using smart climate plant factories to grow specialty products will inspire a great business model! Indoor saffron – growing specialty products using vertical farming technology.

HVAC is very important in vertical farming because it can control and optimize the growing environment of the plants. Resulting in healthy plants and high yields. If done properly. There are six advantages of an HVAC system for vertical farming: HVAC ensures an optimal temperature in the growing environment, which is crucial because plants develop optimally within a certain temperature range. An optimal and constant temperature range ensures optimal plant growth, resulting in maximum yield.

However, this innovative farming method requires precise control over environmental conditions to ensure optimal plant growth and productivity. One crucial aspect of vertical farming is the implementation of energy-efficient HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. These systems play a vital role in maintaining the ideal temperature, humidity, and air quality levels necessary for successful crop cultivation. In this article, we will explore the significance of energy-efficient HVAC systems and their benefits for vertical farming.

In a few decades, indoor city farms or vertical farms have become popular for producing healthy food year-round in urban environments and harsh climates. We began a long-term series of research studies on DFT tomatoes at our OptiClimatefarm R&D Center. To develop an effective DFT indoor farm, we built on our years of know-how and experience from both greenhouse growers and vertical farms. Over the past decade, tomato production has been optimized with high-tech automation and data management. We can use this tremendous amount of knowledge and adapt and implement the same vision and technology in an indoor farm. Read more details on https://www.opticlimatefarm.com/.

OptiClimatefarm, a unique technology, which could provides the best vertical growing systems, vertical farming solutions, and also the best environment for plant growth ,which unites cooling, heating, dehumidification, air circulation, filtration and optical induction in one system. OptiClimate is independently invented by Hicool research team through relentless work over ten years. OptiClimate owns a complete series of energy-saving grow room air conditioner products from OptiClimate Pro 2 to Pro 5, consisting of Air cooled system, Water cooled system , packaged or split units, optional with inverter technology, voltage and current stabilization, even Zero-emission clean refrigerant.

In addition, it is necessary to map the environment so that the design of, for example, a chiller/cooling water installation can also take the noise level into account. Higher requirements will be placed in a built environment than in an industrial area. On top of that, lighting is also of great importance in vertical farming. It is important to adjust the lighting to the HVAC system so that an optimal growing environment is created. In addition, controlling lighting can also help reduce energy consumption.

Warehouse Efficiency and Productivity – Just as regular tillable land needs optimization for farming, warehouses must also have the necessary features to operate efficiently and support optimal growing conditions. This includes designing the space ergonomically, installing new equipment and creating a warehouse safety culture, among other things. Setting up a warehouse farm is capital intensive — plus, farmers also need sufficient financing to cover operating costs. For instance, even a small indoor farm can have an electricity bill of over $100,000 yearly. Switching to renewable energy sources like solar and geothermal power plants can help lower monthly expenses, but installing these systems requires substantial spending, too.

Top vertical farming solutions suppliers: Vertical farms may make use of soil, aeroponic, or hydroponic growing techniques. Part of the urban farming trend, vertical farming is building on the success of urban greenhouses, such as those found in city centers on top of commercial buildings. Vertical farmers may incorporate growing systems into rooftop settings, onto the sides of commercial high rises, or into what’s referred to as “farmscrapers.” Growing fresh food has traditionally been subject to the elements: location, climate, seasonal conditions, and weather trends are just the start of the challenges that can impact plant health and crop yield. Read extra info on https://www.opticlimatefarm.com/service

This groundbreaking farming method saves considerable space and soil, and, as an extra perk, these vertical farms tend to pay higher wages than traditional farming setups, too. This goes hand-in-hand with rising consumer concern for employee working conditions, which are often unsafe and low-paying in agricultural sectors. Combined with extreme weather patterns and land disputes, the situation can lead to a very insecure industry. Further enhancing safety, the chance of acquiring foodborne illnesses is greatly reduced with vertical farming, cutting down on overall liability and the risk of damaged reputations and associated costs.

Year-Round Food Production – Controlled growing environments in warehouses enable the cultivation of seasonal foods all year round. This helps ensure consistent supply and shorter harvest times without compromising produce quality. Consumers can then enjoy their favorite fresh fruits and greens regardless of the season and without shipping them in from far away. Adverse Weather Protection – Extreme weather can severely affect traditional farming — freezing temperatures stifle plant growth, droughts cause crops to die, excessive rain damages the soil and so on. Growing crops in climate-controlled warehouses protects them from inclement weather so such natural catastrophes don’t impact crop yields and ensure predictable harvests.

As of today almost all saffron being produced is done so on traditional outdoor farms and picked by hand at the end of summer. Our solution consists of a fully automated solar powered vertical indoors farm. Using vertical farming has already been proven to be a highly efficient method of growing spices due to it’s controlled environment and large yield per square meter of land used. A fully automated production cycle allows for fast scalability without an increase of operational personnel. Controlled and predictable yield, Solar power greatly reduces energy costs, Predictable cash flow, Low labor costs, Multiple harvests every year.

As vertical farming gains momentum in revolutionizing agriculture, it is essential to prioritize energy efficiency within HVAC systems. By implementing strategies such as precision climate control, LED lighting technology, and waste heat recovery, vertical farms can enhance their sustainability, minimize energy consumption, and reduce their carbon footprint. The benefits extend beyond environmental advantages, with increased crop yields, reduced water usage, and year-round production ensuring a steady food supply. It’s time we embrace greener agricultural practices and pave the way for a sustainable future.

In addition, it is necessary to map the environment so that the design of, for example, a chiller/cooling water installation can also take the noise level into account. Higher requirements will be placed in a built environment than in an industrial area. On top of that, lighting is also of great importance in vertical farming. It is important to adjust the lighting to the HVAC system so that an optimal growing environment is created. In addition, controlling lighting can also help reduce energy consumption.

Airflow for vertical grow racks allows CO2 to spread through the farming facility, which reduces humidity and supports plant growth. Without constant airflow, significant growth would be next to impossible. As air moves through the tightly packed racks it collects heat from the lights, causing air to become hot and humid, which can create mold and mildew in plants. The Innovative Airflow System is designed to keep airflow moving throughout the growing areas, to ensure healthy growth and optimal conditions. Today, OptiClimateFarm’s dedicated air duct system for indoor growth HVACD has completely solved this problem. Discover even more info at opticlimatefarm.com.

OptiClimate Farm brings together technical experts from China, Japan, Korea, United States and Europe, and a professional team composed of marketing experts, growers and technology innovators. Our plant factory facilities and technology have been developed and patented in 2020, and the international company OPTICLIMATE FARM LIMITED was established. OptiClimate vertical farming companies have obtained the following certificates: OEM supplier series certificate, SGS certificate, Plant factory patent certificate, CE series certificate, DNA series certificate, ETL certificate, ISO90001 certificate, etc.

HVAC provides the right humidity level in the growing environment, which is essential for plant growth. An HVAC system can maintain constant humidity levels and thus provide optimal growing conditions. HVAC ensures good air circulation in the growing environment, which provides sufficient CO2 and oxygen for healthy plant growth. Additionally, air circulation can help prevent mold and rot. HVAC ensures good air quality in the growing environment by filtering out pollutants like dust, mold, and bacteria, which creates a healthy growing environment. The filtration system can also reduce odors in the environment.

Top grow room environment control system manufacturer: What is Vertical Farming? In case you’re unfamiliar with vertical farming, it’s the practice of growing crops indoors in stacked layers, carefully monitored with modern technology. It literally takes the idea of a greenhouse to new levels. Think leafy greens nestled in gleaming towers, herbs hanging out on sleek shelves, and maybe even strawberries or tomato season all year round. Vertical farming differs from greenhouse farming or hothouse farming because the climate conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are carefully monitored and controlled. The keen use of height with stacks and columns allows the grower to produce a lot more when compared to greenhouses or conventional indoor farming. There are a few different methods for these vertical farms, such as hydroponic farming, aquaponic farming, or aeroponic farming. Regardless of the technique, vertical farming operations are sprouting up worldwide, and they tout some incredible sustainability benefits. Here are just a few. Read additional info at hydroponic climate control systems.

Vertical farms may make use of soil, aeroponic, or hydroponic growing techniques. Part of the urban farming trend, vertical farming is building on the success of urban greenhouses, such as those found in city centers on top of commercial buildings. Vertical farmers may incorporate growing systems into rooftop settings, onto the sides of commercial high rises, or into what’s referred to as “farmscrapers.” Growing fresh food has traditionally been subject to the elements: location, climate, seasonal conditions, and weather trends are just the start of the challenges that can impact plant health and crop yield.

Aside from meeting consumer demand for more eco-friendly, socially responsible practices and fresher, local food, these greening initiatives can also benefit food companies by reducing costs and shortening delivery distances while creating better working conditions for employees and protecting the environment. Several companies in the food supply and agriculture industry are implementing vertical farming techniques, pioneering a new way of growing, distributing, purchasing — and thinking about — our food. The ability to supply retailers with locally grown, sustainable products year-round has caught the attention of many investors, too, along with the increased consumer demand for more eco-friendly food purchasing options — for which today’s consumers are willing to pay more money.

As of today almost all saffron being produced is done so on traditional outdoor farms and picked by hand at the end of summer. Our solution consists of a fully automated solar powered vertical indoors farm. Using vertical farming has already been proven to be a highly efficient method of growing spices due to it’s controlled environment and large yield per square meter of land used. A fully automated production cycle allows for fast scalability without an increase of operational personnel. Controlled and predictable yield, Solar power greatly reduces energy costs, Predictable cash flow, Low labor costs, Multiple harvests every year.

High-efficiency growing facilities hosting plants at ten and twenty deep, growing at double time, and with less of an environmental footprint? It all sounds too good to be true… And it just may be. These brilliant feats of agricultural engineering come with a steep price tag — one large indoor vertical farm costs millions of dollars. Agritecture Consulting estimates the cost of a 30,000-square-foot facility for leafy greens and herbs near New York City at almost $4 million in startup capital – and that’s without labor.

As vertical farming gains momentum in revolutionizing agriculture, it is essential to prioritize energy efficiency within HVAC systems. By implementing strategies such as precision climate control, LED lighting technology, and waste heat recovery, vertical farms can enhance their sustainability, minimize energy consumption, and reduce their carbon footprint. The benefits extend beyond environmental advantages, with increased crop yields, reduced water usage, and year-round production ensuring a steady food supply. It’s time we embrace greener agricultural practices and pave the way for a sustainable future.

In a few decades, indoor city farms or vertical farms have become popular for producing healthy food year-round in urban environments and harsh climates. We began a long-term series of research studies on DFT tomatoes at our OptiClimatefarm R&D Center. To develop an effective DFT indoor farm, we built on our years of know-how and experience from both greenhouse growers and vertical farms. Over the past decade, tomato production has been optimized with high-tech automation and data management. We can use this tremendous amount of knowledge and adapt and implement the same vision and technology in an indoor farm. Discover more details on https://www.opticlimatefarm.com/.

OptiClimate Farm brings together technical experts from China, Japan, Korea, United States and Europe, and a professional team composed of marketing experts, growers and technology innovators. Our plant factory facilities and technology have been developed and patented in 2020, and the international company OPTICLIMATE FARM LIMITED was established. OptiClimate vertical farming companies have obtained the following certificates: OEM supplier series certificate, SGS certificate, Plant factory patent certificate, CE series certificate, DNA series certificate, ETL certificate, ISO90001 certificate, etc.

Using advanced technologies: One HVAC system can help control the growing environment, but it is important to regularly measure and adjust temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels as needed. This can be done, for example, through sensors and monitoring systems. Finally, advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning can be used to optimize HVAC systems for vertical farming. This can use all available data, which we analyze, make a digital twin, perform predictive maintenance and performance management, and apply hyperspectral image recognition. These technologies can help automatically adjust the growing environment to the needs of the plants, which can lead to higher yields and more efficient energy consumption.

Automation Technologies – Indoor farms require a combination of robotics, machine learning, Internet of Things sensors and cloud computing to function as intended. These technologies are central to creating and maintaining an optimized growing environment. Employing these systems can also reduce the need for manual labor and associated costs. Warehouses Are Becoming the New Farmlands – All over the world, farmers are converting wide, spacious buildings into farmlands capable of feeding their surrounding communities. This represents an important step toward ensuring food security and lowering carbon emissions, for which the agriculture industry has received a lot of flak in recent years.

A good HVAC system can contribute to a sustainable vertical farming operation by reducing energy consumption, water consumption, and operational costs. HVAC systems can improve water quality by regulating the pH and dissolved oxygen in the water, which is important for plant growth. To optimize an HVAC system for vertical farming, there are several important considerations to keep in mind to choose the right HVAC system for your vertical farming operation, considering your specific needs and circumstances: There are different types of HVAC systems available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some systems regulate temperature and humidity, while others regulate CO2.

Excellent grow room climate controller factory: OptiClimatefarm, a unique technology, which could provides the best vertical growing systems, vertical farming solutions, and also the best environment for plant growth ,which unites cooling, heating, dehumidification, air circulation, filtration and optical induction in one system. OptiClimate is independently invented by Hicool research team through relentless work over ten years. OptiClimate owns a complete series of energy-saving grow room air conditioner products from OptiClimate Pro 2 to Pro 5, consisting of Air cooled system, Water cooled system , packaged or split units, optional with inverter technology, voltage and current stabilization, even Zero-emission clean refrigerant. Read additional info on commercial grow room air conditioner.

Vertical farming HVAC systems generate significant amounts of heat as byproducts. Implementing waste heat recovery technologies can harness this excess heat and repurpose it for various applications, such as water heating or powering absorption chilling systems. Key advantages include: Reduced energy consumption for heating purposes; Increased overall energy efficiency by utilizing waste heat; Cost savings through the reuse of heat energy. Controlling temperature fluctuations minimizes stress on plants, promoting their overall health and productivity.

HVACD stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning,D stands for dehumidification. Every developer, designer and dreamer would do well to include climate management as a foremost systems consideration — in line with lighting, racking, irrigation and automation — during the conceptual and facility planning stage. Only then can vertical farming rise to its full potential. Growers can save energy and money by choosing a “premium efficiency”HVACD with dehumidification.

In addition, it is necessary to map the environment so that the design of, for example, a chiller/cooling water installation can also take the noise level into account. Higher requirements will be placed in a built environment than in an industrial area. On top of that, lighting is also of great importance in vertical farming. It is important to adjust the lighting to the HVAC system so that an optimal growing environment is created. In addition, controlling lighting can also help reduce energy consumption.

Our solution consists of a fully automated solar powered vertical indoors farm. Innovative DFT transpiration hydroponics model, Improved flower, root and bulb growth by adjusting the B-R light ratio formula, using vertical farming has already been proven to be a highly efficient method of growing spices due to it’s controlled environment and large yield per square meter of land used. The world’s most expensive spices can be grown on a vertical farm,do you know? Reality,it’s going very well with the help of smart climate technology!

Additionally, some HVAC systems may be more energy-efficient than others. When considering energy consumption, some factors to consider are: Can you use waste heat? Can you use free cooling directly or indirectly, allowing you to use other sources and, in some cases, reduce energy consumption by up to 85%? Dehumidification requires energy, so it is important to determine the best technique for the specific situation to save energy. We examine the most favorable dehumidification method. This starts with the initial condition of the crop and the corresponding climate. Then we can focus on the best technology for the specific situation and choose what is best to apply. Energy can be saved by choosing cold recovery methods such as cross-flow heat exchangers, heat pipes, or run-around coils. Find even more details on https://www.opticlimatefarm.com/.

The Sustainable Way Forward: Plantations International’s Approach to Agriculture and the Environment: We strive for an injury-free workplace through a strong health and safety program supported by high employee engagement. We train our employees to conduct their activities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We expect our suppliers to adhere to the applicable environmental laws of the countries, regions and cities in which they operate. We encourage our suppliers to surpass baseline requirements where possible to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.

​There will be 9.6 billion people in the world by 2050, that will require more than 70% more crops than we have today. This combined with a reduction in arable land and the effects of climate change will result in sector over-performance. Agriculture has outperformed most asset classes throughout history, particularly on a risk basis when considering volatility. The NCREIF Index which is the world’s agriculture benchmark has yielded an annual return of 13.69% since 2000 with a standard deviation of only 7.58%. This far outperforms equities, real estate, bond and other asset classes. Performance is expected to improve further over the next decade due to strong demand supply fundamentals.

Food along with water and air is essential for human life. High levels of food security are necessary for human existence but is also imperative to global and country specific economic growth, stability and prosperity. For example, countries with poor level of food security often face chronic malnutrition which provides limitations in human capital development, which is required to achieve economic growth. Food security ought to be a priority for all countries, whether developing or developed. Although low levels of food security are commonly associated with poverty stricken countries they are also found in affluent developed countries as well. Food security rankings despite providing a decent gauge of performance are not without limitations. For example, some of wealthiest countries logically fare well in overall rankings as they have the capability and infrastructure to provide accessible, healthy food to their populations. Yet these high rankings dangerously mask their poor natural resources and resilience rank which measures food import dependency to a small degree. This raises the question, how can a country be food secure when they can be highly dependent on others for their food supply?

With offices, plantations, and representatives across Asia, Europe, and Africa, Plantations International is a multinational plantation and farm management company that specializes in providing sustainable agricultural and forestry or “agroforestry” management services for its clients. Plantations International has clients ranging from private individuals to large landholders and corporate investors. We put teamwork, innovation, and our passion for creating “Ethical & Sustainable Capital” at the heart of everything we do.

​Food insecurity occurs due to a variety of factors which are becoming increasingly more challenging to combat. Conflict and violence in many parts of the world can lead to food insecurity as so does climate variability and exposure to more complex, frequent and intense climate extremes. By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 9.6 billion and unfortunately while populations grow Earth’s surface does not. Global demand for food by 2050 will be 70% greater than it is today which requires addressing a number of key global food security challenges. 1.4 billion hectares of land the equivalent of 28% percent of the world’s agricultural area is used annually to produce food that is lost or wasted. The total volume of water used each year to produce food that is lost or wasted (250km3) is equivalent to three times the volume of Lake Geneva.

The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere in between. Globally, the mercury is already up more than 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius), and even more in sensitive polar regions. And the effects of rising temperatures aren’t waiting for some far-flung future. They’re happening right now. Signs are appearing all over, and some of them are surprising. The heat is not only melting glaciers and sea ice, it’s also shifting precipitation patterns and setting animals on the move. Plantations International Global Warming Solutions: The evidence that humans are causing global warming is strong, but the question of what to do about it remains controversial. Economics, sociology, and politics are all important factors in planning for the future.