The ultimate goal is to save our civilization.
We can do this MECA-operation (Make Earth Cool Again) by restoring Earth’s cooling capacity by bringing back nature in a smart way. Doing so we will also realize our Paris climate goals faster, cheaper, with less risk and more social perspective.
It is not just about planting trees, it is about adding enough ‘Green Water’ coolant liquid and restoring the capacity of the ‘Biotic Pump’, the pump of Earth’s natural active airconditioning.
To restore the cooling power we have to restore and connect landscapes in such a smart way that it will not only add sufficient cooling capacity but at the same time also fulfills mankind’s demands and store as much CO2 as possible to realize our climate insurance policy.
That means connecting natural green structures with the coast to get the biotic pump working, link it with economical functions such as food, water, living, need for biobased materials, clean air, recreation, … and making sure that the conditions below and above the soil are optimal to capture CO2.
Smart Landscapes are the preconditioning for making use of the double cooling role of the ‘Green Water Cycle’ by establishing the natural air-conditioning AND by sequestration of CO2.
We can do this by mixing knowledge of ecological agriculture, ecological forestry and green urbanism.
Alley cropping, silvopasture and city farming are already existing, highly efficient ways for the production of food and raw materials and can easily be fitted into ‘Smart Landscapes’ by their ecological signature.
Ecological soil treatment is a basic condition, a key feature for growing ‘Smart Landscapes’. A healthy soil which is crowded with organic matter, fungi and microorganisms does not only deliver nutrients but is also contains sufficient moisture which is needed for plant growth. Moreover, this moisture is essential to store ‘Green Water’ and optimize the Earth’s active natural airconditioning and will support optimal carbon uptake.
Such ‘Smart Landscapes’ consist of a ‘tissue’ of agricultural, industrial and living functions entwined with wide relatively dense green multi plant storey structures. Repairing the airconditioning will look a lot like a skin transplant after a burn.
The vegetation density needs to support the working ‘Green Water’ cycle and depends on the characteristics of the landscape.
For example, temperate zones need to be more openly designed than tropical areas because of the amount of light needed by plants, animals and people.
Smart solutions can solve the conflicting interests for physical space.
The feasibility of this MECA-operation relies on creativity and smart solutions on all levels, ranging from investors, decision makers, asset managers to designers and the ability to align societal goals with money sources.
Value chain validation assessment tools should provide insight into the relationship between products and their harmful or beneficial role for the Earth’s natural cooling capacity.
Investment conditions and subsidy practices must be designed in such a way that the restoration of the Earth’s natural cooling capacity and the realization of social goals are aligned with socially responsible profits and help to reduce the assets at risk.
Together with Innorbis we are developing the ‘Future Coefficient’ that can provide insight into the extent to which the actions of economic actors and investments are aligned with the desired future goals. With this indicator it is possible to map out where the most effective and efficient adjustments in the field of taxation, regulations and planning are located in society in order to realize the desired change.
‘Blue Water’ versus ‘Green Water’
The Earth cools itself through the evaporation of water and reflects sunlight through the formation of clouds.
In this process we distinguish between ‘Green’ and ‘Blue’ water. The physical characteristics of ‘Green’ and ‘Blue’ water are exactly the same, the colors refer to the different processes in which the water is used.
‘Green Water’ is water that is released into the atmosphere by trees and plants through their leaves, this is called evapotranspiration (like we humans sweat) and is an active process by living nature.
Evaporation of water directly by the sun where no living nature is involved, we call ‘Blue Water’ and is a passive process, we simply call this evaporation.
This definition is partly inspired by the definition of Green and Blue water definition by Garrison Sposito.
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