The ocean: human living space & source of energy

With relevant trends and grand societal challenges (like climate change and scarcity of resources) in mind, each group sketched one dream scenario of the future of the ocean and four scenarios based on two drivers. One group focused on the ocean as a future living space, the other at the ocean as a source for energy and food. Their visions and road maps towards those give us food for thought about the future use of the vast ocean space and about who will benefit.

In 2100, the population of Earth is 11 billion, out of which 13% (1,5 billion) must live on the ocean so as not to overcrowd the land. The floating and underwater cities “come in all shapes and sizes, and they have diverse ownership and political structures. … [New Atlantis] has a modular design with hexagon shaped modules of about 2000m2 each. It is an independent scientific and lifestyle community, equipped with renewable energy production and food production facilities.” “Some of the floating cities will be located in the territory of a coastal country for easier trade of physical goods and services. … Some cities will seek independence, and become self-sustaining in energy, food and also in their legal system. These can float freely anywhere in the world, but they will be permanently located on international waters.”

Source: Project Future: New Atlantis – sea city, a company advice. A. Tzimas, E. Chrobacsinszky, K. Sokolowska, L. Maron and S. Sarfaraz, 2015. (Industrial Design Engineering // Open Innovator, the Hague University of Applied Sciences)

“The Oceans will shape the way we view energy, food and living space in the future; furthermore, the Oceans will also be a huge factor in shaping Global politics.” “If humanity has managed to develop technology, production and civilization through only the means provided by roughly 29% of what our planet has to offer, then it stands to reason that utilizing our vast Oceans could prove a massive addition to developing our societies even further.”

In 2050, 85% of the Earth is covered in water. Due to significant climate change the extinction of land and sea animals will have increased. This means that the growing human population has had to rethink their strategies for food and energy productions. Floating farms near the coast with onboard water filtration systems have become the biggest supplier of organic foods. Algae are widely used for food additives and animal feed. They are also used to produce biofuels. Additional energy is provided by conventional solar energy, wind turbines and wave turbines. Mining companies have redirected their focus to the oceans as well. A new source is the plastic debris floating in the oceans. This is collected and recycled.

Source: Ocean Energy. A. Dan, C. Schmitt, J. Sepp, K. Kucis, M.E. Slee and M. Rangelova, 2015. (Industrial Design Engineering // Open Innovator, the Hague University of Applied Sciences). You can listen to their findings as presented during their final presentation.