Edenworks is an agricultural initiative that commenced in 2013, running on a Brooklyn USA rooftop. It arose in response to the challenges arising from and within global food distribution with the article reflecting on the ‘huge amount of energy (that) goes into the distribution of food….(where) things are grown for transportability’ (Magee, C. 2013). Further, the article comments on challenges pertinent to the geographical location of agriculture in terms of the future indicating a rising trend in high density urban living arrangements, as well as calls to challenge a future scenario whereby synthetic and artificial foods and food bases increase in presence, for ‘there’s nothing synthetic or artificial (in Edenworks), everything that enters the system is a plant or animal’ (Magee, C. 2013).
Using real time data for system monitoring, the system in essence has created a scenario where even the most agri-illiterate can farm; and using ‘90% less water and energy then traditional farming’ (Magee, C. 2013), the potential spin off for the environment is massive, which Green reiterates when quoting that ‘agriculture consumes 30% of global carbon energy and 92% of global freshwater’, a considered percentage of the worlds resources.
Edenworks infrastructure is ‘prefabricated, flat packed and shipped to site’ (Edenworks, 2015), leaving the recipient able ‘assemble a greenhouse like a giant IKEA system’ (Magee, C. 2013). In this lies a number of issues. For whilst there are no doubt very clear benefits environmentally, economically and sustainably being reaped from such a system, at what cost does it come? For only those who have the means to live like this can.
The system requires a rooftop. What about those without a rooftop? Those living in slums. Those who are homeless. Will tension develop over who gets what produce in such a community dependent scheme? How will this change neighbourly relations? Will there be an increase in hostility and suspicion?
The system requires funds for installation. What about those without the means to pay? Will this create a larger disparity between the value of ‘fresh vs synthetic’ food groups?
The system is based on a Western, city style of living. What about those who do not live as such?
The system makes everyone a farmer. What about those who have relied on making a living off the land for centuries? Where does the displacement leave them, socially, financially, psychologically?
These are but a few of the questions pertaining to points of inequality and scenarios that challenge human morals and how we behave in society, an area we discussed in our first group meeting on scenario forming, referring specifically to the 6 Basic Futures Questions we worked on answering, where we intended to summarise ‘will; fear; hidden assumptions; alternative futures; preferred futures; and next steps’ (Inayatullah, 2008)
References:
Edenworks. 2015. The Future of Farming. Edenworks. Viewed 03/08/15. Available at: http://edenworks.org
Inayatullah, S. 2008, ‘Six pillars: futures thinking for transforming’, Foresight, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 4-21.
Magee, C. 2013. Edenworks is building the future of food on urban rooftops. Tech Crunch. Viewed 03/08/15, available at: http://techcrunch.com/2015/09/01/edenworks-is-building-the-future-of-food-on-urban-rooftops/?ncid=rss#.a9bn4o:kMsh
Header Image Reference:
Edenworks. 2015. The Future of Farming. Edenworks. Viewed 03/08/15. Available at: http://edenworks.org
The Boundary Collective 