In 2050, the estimated global population will reach a total of nearly 10 billion. In order to feed and support these people, the agriculture industry will have to increase their food, fuel, and fiber production by about 56% if not more. In order to reach this percentage, we will need help from technology, science, and engineering. But, how? By using technology, science, and engineering, we will be able to build greenhouses and labs that will produce our food, fuel, and fiber in 2050.
Food grown in fields and picked by hand is the traditional way of doing things. However, this method isn’t as efficient as growing crops in greenhouses. Greenhouses are enclosed and keep out weeds, fungi, and unwanted pests. In other words, no harmful herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. We can then release beneficial insects such as ladybugs and green lacewing larvae which can help our crops. Furthermore, greenhouses are already invented and are being used in certain places by the agricultural industry. For example, a high-tech greenhouse facility located in Camarillo, California is able to grow and produce “hydroponic tomatoes.” These tomatoes are fed with elements such as nitrogen, potassium, iron, and zinc. The roots of these tomatoes are sunk in coconut fiber which is a natural product. Because coconut fiber is a natural product, it can then be sent out to green waste and recycled and composted. Also, the coconut fiber helps with the growth of the tomato’s vines that grow about a foot a week. Additionally, the advanced computer technology controls the levels of humidity and carbon dioxide that the tomatoes receive. On top of this, solar panels that have been installed provide “total energy independence.” All these technologies can help our crops grow in a fast and safe way.
Moving forward, livestock will also have to be managed in order to meet the demands of the 10 billion people that await in 2050. This will be done using labs. Meat cultivated in labs is cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, there are many techniques on how to “grow” meat but the most successful involves harvesting stem cells from cows. Muscle tissue is harvested from a live animal, in this case a cow, in what is said to be harmless. This tissue is separated by scientists into two parts: muscle cells and fat cells. We need the muscle cells which are then “dissected and cultured.” Although this technique isn’t favored by many, we must remember that resources will be scarce in thirty years, judging by the pace we’re going at right now. Lab-grown meat doesn’t require many necessities. In fact, one muscle stem cell can be cultivated to up to one trillion cells. It’s also said to taste better.
Furthermore, 10 billion people need fuel to move around. That’s where biofuels come in. Biofuels are fuels produced using biomass. These fuels are composed of plant starches, liquid animal fat, and vegetable oil. We can grow and produce the necessary resources to make these biofuels using greenhouses, machines, and technology. Also, these hydrocarbon biofuels can be substituted in existing tanks, vehicles, pipelines, etc. Scientists have already created methods on this and are continuing to work on this. Technology and science will be far more advanced than now so we can guarantee better and more eco-friendly methods of producing fuels.
Last but not least, fiber. People need clothes and other material goods. Fiber includes products such as cotton, wood, hemp, and wool. All these products require plants. Where are we going to grow and produce these plants? Greenhouses and drones. Cotton requires large amounts of water in order to grow. Greenhouses can monitor and water the cotton. Cotton can also be grown out in fields and watered using specialized drones. These drones make watering large acres of land easier, faster, and more affordable. People can then go in and harvest this cotton. As you can see, technology can help you and not take away your job. Using these technologies, we’ll be able to produce more, ship out more, and earn more.
In conclusion, the production of food, fuel, and fiber in 2050 will be with the help of technology, science, and engineering. And, of course, farmers and everyone else in the agriculture industry. Greenhouses and labs will provide enough food in a cheap, fast, and environmentally friendly way. Biofuels and technology such as drones will help produce fuel and fiber and make our lives easier. I urge you to consider these methods and other techniques that help us in 2050. Because, after all, thirty years can go by fast.