How Hydroponics Leave a Smaller Carbon Footprint

By: Charlene Rennick

Green house gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.  Of these greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the biggest contributors to global warming.  Because of this, a great deal of scientific research is underway to combat the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during any kind of consumerism.

Hydroponic Produce Uses Less Fossil Fuel

Almost everything we do produces some sort of carbon dioxide emission.  We even exhale carbon dioxide when we breathe!  Consider this:  every product we use, from a raw vegetable to a complex computer chip exudes some form of carbon dioxide during its journey from the environment into our hands. Each step of the way requires some sort of fossil fuel.  As the fuel is burned, carbon dioxide is formed and released into the atmosphere.  The amount of carbon emitted is called a footprint because it is what is left behind after the energy is used. 

Hydroponic Gardens Use Less Energy

The total amount of energy used for extracting the raw material, constructing a product, transporting and using it followed by disposing of it when we are finished, is what results in a carbon footprint.  Each product has slightly different values assigned to their footprint according to the uniqueness of their manufacturing process.  Because it is measured this way, it makes it easier to break the production process down into steps in order to minimize carbon emissions where it can be done.  

Hydroponics has Fewer areas of Carbon Exchange

The carbon cycle has four distinct sections; the atmosphere, biosphere (fresh water and non-living organic material), oceans and sediments (this includes fossil fuels).  Carbon moves between these sections as it is exchanged during chemical, physical, geological and biological processes. 

Hydroponic Gardens Sustain More Families Using Less Space

Hydroponic cultivation recycles nutrients and uses either water or organic scraps from other manufacturing processes as a growing medium.  Bits of clay, coconut husks (coir) and small pebbles are some things that can be used to stabilize the root system.  The nutrients can be derived from plant cuttings and organic waste which reduces the need to buy artificially contrived minerals.  Hydroponic gardens are situated indoors so they do not need manufactured pesticides to get rid of insects.  Hydroponically grown plants take up far less space so they can be located locally in urban areas.  In countries where the soil does not support any kind of agriculture, hydroponic plots can sustain many families.  This has a huge impact on reducing the carbon emissions produced by needing to transport produce from one location to another.

The Science Barge is an example of a floating sustainable greenhouse that makes a very small carbon footprint.  It is carbon neutral and emits no waste stream.