Floating Cities on Oceans in Our Future?
Is there a business case to re-envisioning our cities?
Even at the most modest rate of global warming, ocean levels are expected to rise. This risks 40% of the world’s population in our coastal megacities. At the same time, the world’s population is only increasing. With a capricious, warmer climate, we may not be able to provide habitat for all these growing numbers. In past, a simple solution to demand habitat would be to cut down forests to develop urban centers and farms. There is a great price tag to that approach now. Forests are our carbon sink. Cutting them reduces the ability for carbon removal. Burning up the wood adds even more carbon to the atmosphere. This incredible problem has led some innovators to identify future homes for humanity. Mars is one option. Yet, there is another option that’s closer home — oceans. Water occupies 70% of the earth’s surface. The saline water is not fit for human consumption or irrigation. But, can it function as a new destination for habitat — a floating city?
The idea itself is not new. Aztecs’ had the floating capital of Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco. Similar islands have existed on Lake Titicaca in…
