Solution: Energy-reduction technology coupled with Controlled Environment Agriculture (Greenhouse Grown Produce, Vertical Farming, Multilayer Production) and other highly innovative horticultural/agricultural practices.
Controlled Environment Agriculture provides farmers the ability to cultivate in greenhouses, warehouses, or skyscrapers, allowing them to think in cubic feet (not square), farm new spaces, increase crop density, decrease actual land space, and secure larger crops. Traditional farms can then revert to a natural state, reducing energy costs needed to transport foods to consumers, and significantly alleviate land issues.
The EPA takes special notice of practices like that as they push for a major sustainability initiative to avert the crisis of depleted land resources.
Sustainability Principle: Our well-being depends (directly or indirectly) on our natural environment. Maintaining conditions for humans and nature to exist in productive harmony fulfills social/economic requirements for present AND future generations so we will continue to have the water, materials, and resources to survive.
Sustainability has emerged as a result of significant concerns about the unintended consequences of rapid population growth, economic changes, and consumption of our natural resources. The EPA controls pollution and levels of environmental protection, drawing on scientific advances and promoting green business practices. Artificial lighting has become of specific interest for the success of future farming initiatives.
Hort Americas ( http://www.HortAmericas.com ), is, quite literally, lighting and leading the way, working with powerhouses like Philips ( http://www.Philips.com/horti ) to innovate LEDs for Horticulture around the world, reducing costs and energy consumption. The partnership with Philips is only one example of their Mission: To link Global Manufacturers of Horticultural Technologies with North American Farmers and Growers.
Commercial growers and horticultural researchers are now using products like the Philips GreenPower LEDs to solve many common-sense problems:
Energy Savings in Growth Chambers
Growing High Density Crops/Leafy Greens in Warehouses - Decreases heat and amount of land needed
Greenhouse Vegetable Crops - Decreased heat, allows lights lower in the crop, increasing yield up to 20%
Artificial Lighting of Ornamental Crops - Immediate energy savings
Vine Crops (Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers) - Yield improvement
Flower, Strawberry Production - Increased flowering
Philips GreenPower LEDs are available in multiple styles, lengths, and color ranges for a variety of growing applications and needed work light. (MarketWatch)
