How Lilypad Cities May Save Future Climate Change Refugees

Looking like something out of an Arthur C. Clark novel, the Lilypad is a large-scale ecotectural concept designed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, for housing the potential future victims (50,000 within each structure) of climate change in coastal areas. From Callebaut’s description of his intention on his website, it is quite clear that he takes seriously the many predictions of mass migration away from worldwide coastal zones following inundation by the potentially catastrophic rise of sea levels brought on by polar and glacier melting. Although such a dire scenario is not inevitable if the powers that be band together to stave off the seemingly relentless rise in CO2 levels, Callebaut is one architect who doesn’t want to wait and see until it’s too late.

Aside from their sheer aesthetic beauty, the self-sustaining Lilypads incorporate the latest (in some cases not yet feasible) approaches in clean technology and aquaculture. From rainwater purifying lakes, undulating solar roof panels, and wind turbines, to a tidal power station and CO2-absorbing titanium dioxide exoskeleton, the structures offer a well-thought out approach in how to incorporate complex technologies within a dynamic community. Some may say this concept is so far reaching and grand in scope to deem it wishful thinking, however its incredible potential suggests that bold thinkers like Callebaut, may indeed help the world come up with remarkable solutions to the daunting challenges which lie before us. With the introduction of his Lilypad concepts, he has surely gotten people thinking about his dynamic vision of things to come.

For more information, please visit Vincent Callebaut Architectures.

Stormy Days Ahead for Biofuels?

As if the current challenges related to biofuels (use of food crop, questions about genetic modification, to name a few) weren’t enough, according to many energy industry experts, academics, and climatologists, unpredictable and severe weather trends such as greater incidence of powerful storms, flooding, drought, etc, could restrain the potential growth of the biofuels market - recent storms in the Midwestern U.S. which have damaged a great deal of corn crop are but one prescient example. This threat to today’s biocrops (corn, potatoes, sugarcane, etc) is made plain by the fact that due to scale of production, for the most part the crops must be grown outdoors, and shows how delicate a growing dependence on cropland will be as biofuels gain market share (ethanol is currently at 6%, but expected to rise above 20% in coming years). Put simply, ethanol expert John M. Reilly, senior lecturer at MIT, states that “we are holding ourselves hostage to the weather.”

Although not to be taken lightly, this challenge simply provides further indication of what we already know, that we must develop feasibly sustainable alternatives to weather-dependent (and resource-depleting) sources for our fuel, and do so sooner than later. And aside from the need to develop sources and methods of production which are not dependent on the unpredictable weather that lies ahead, we must rapidly make affordable super-efficient vehicles the market standard. Only then will the world be able to accommodate the increasing demand for more fuel efficient cars and trucks, and more accessible and widespread public transportation.  As oil prices increase, the calls for these alternatives will only become louder, so it’s important to act while we still have time.

Cambridge Energy Associates

USDA

Renewable Fuels Association

DOE’s Energy Information Association