Global food insecurity is on the rise. According to an article published by the World Bank, acute food insecurity affected 135 million people in 2019, and this number grew by a staggering 210 million to 345 million by June 2022. The article continues to state that climate change is one of the major reasons for the increasing food insecurity and that how the food is produced is part of the problem. This number is bound to increase to catastrophic levels if we fail to find innovative solutions to safeguard agricultural systems.
Eric Crews and his company, Design Desk Inc., have developed the Agricultural Field Cooler as a solution to the growing need. This article will explore the Agricultural Field Cooler and how it can benefit agricultural operations.
The Agricultural Field Cooler
The Agricultural Field Cooler is an eco-friendly “pressure-driven” dehumidification system that shows great promise in mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture. It is a fuel-less system that can reverse field water evaporation. It uses the Earth’s ambient temperature to produce low temperatures and excess electricity for irrigation and frost protection. If fitted on a flotation ring in the open ocean, it can also repair polar ice caps.
The cooler operates without an external power source, and the technique of lowering barometric pressure to attain cooling in tandem with the subterranean temperature makes it a cold-side-only type dehumidifier with a free energy design.
Benefits Of The Agricultural Field Cooler
Reversing Field Water Evaporation
Water scarcity is a critical challenge for farmers in climate-affected regions. The agricultural field cooler leverages its capability to reverse field water evaporation to address this issue. As mentioned earlier, the system uses the subterranean ambient temperature, utilizes a vacuum to generate low temperatures, and condenses the atmospheric water vapor. This condensed water becomes a valuable resource for crop irrigation, reducing dependence on external water sources and optimizing water usage for improved agricultural practices.
Empowering Dehumidification For Crops
Humidity levels can significantly impact crop health and yields. The Agricultural Field Cooler excels in its ability to serve as a dehumidifier for crops. The system effectively reduces the temperature through its innovative design, thereby creating a dehumidifying effect within the fields. This process leads to the condensation of environmental humidity, offering a local and reliable water supply for crops. By providing optimal growth conditions and reducing reliance on conventional irrigation methods, this approach enhances crop productivity and resilience.
Nurturing Polar Ice Cap Repair
The versatility of the Agricultural Field Cooler extends beyond agriculture to address the vital task of repairing polar ice caps. Placed on a flotation ring and deployed in polar regions, the system becomes an instrumental tool in this endeavor. By leveraging its temperature-lowering capabilities, the cooler aids in the freezing and stabilization of polar ice caps. This innovative application offers a means to counteract the adverse effects of climate change-induced ice loss, fostering the restoration of polar environments.
Mitigating Hurricane Intensity
Another noteworthy application of the Agricultural Field Cooler lies in mitigating the intensity of hurricanes and typhoons. By reversing the humidity updraft that fuels these powerful storms, the system helps cool surface waters, thereby reducing storm strength and size. Enhancements such as maritime marker lamps and communication systems can be incorporated into the design, facilitating remote control and efficient management of the system’s impact on hurricane-prone regions.
Combating Methane Emissions And Rebuilding Mountain Glaciers
Methane emissions resulting from permafrost thawing and the decline of mountain glaciers contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbate climate change. The Agricultural Field Cooler offers a potential solution by mechanically freezing permafrost, thereby curbing methane emissions. Additionally, the system’s ability to rebuild mountain glaciers by creating low temperatures holds promise for restoring crucial water sources that sustain billions of people dependent on glacier meltwater.
To cut a long story short, The Agricultural Field Cooler is an exceptional, innovative solution designed to address the challenges caused by climate change and secure resilient agricultural systems.
