You’ve probably heard the buzz these days about planting trees. What’s that all about? Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major green house gas (a gas that contributes to the warming of planet Earth). Our planet has been warming up over the past hundred years due to the burning of fossils fuels, fuels such as coal and gasoline. Trees and other plants take in carbon dioxide, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That’s why every one is so gung ho on planting trees right now!

Sounds like a great plan doesn’t it, but have you figured out the problem yet? Trees and forests need a lot of room to grow. Unfortunately the population on our planet is growing really quickly now, faster than it ever has in the course of human history. In many parts of the world, people are having a hard time finding land to live on, let alone plant trees. This isn’t a problem yet in North America, but one day it may soon be. Right now there are 6.7 billion people on the planet, but by 2050, there will be about 9.2 billion. That is a lot of people, not just to find a home for, but to feed as well.

Luckily, scientists in the United States think they may have the answers to both problems, how to feed a growing human population and where to grow plants. What’s the solution? Would you believe giant skyscraper farms in cities? Hydroponics is the key to making these skyscraper farms productive. Hydroponics is a special way of growing plants that doesn’t require any soil! This means plants can be grown in 30 story buildings, creating enough food for 50 000 people right in the heart of the city—if we can get enough light, minerals, and water to them. And all those plants will also be busy taking up greenhouse gases, keeping climate change in check! Is it possible? Will it happen in your lifetime? Only time and science will tell!