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Problems of overpopulation and the threat of catastrophes, from climate to nuclear to space, are forcing people to consider more and more alternative habitats. Unfortunately, we have not
Problems of overpopulation and the threat of catastrophes, from climate to nuclear to space, are forcing people to consider more and more alternative habitats. Unfortunately, we have not yet mastered space enough to establish colonies on other planets. Therefore, only earthly resources remain. Or rather underground…
First of all, if humanity dares to go underground, it will have to solve a number of problems related to ensuring life in new conditions.
Perhaps humans no longer have access to the energy sources found on the surface of the planet. Experts believe that the most viable option would be to take energy from the bowels of the planet – geothermal springs and rocks.
It should be borne in mind that the water resources that were there before may also become unusable. However, there are known natural water reservoirs underground. However, they will need to be somewhat “civilized” to build wastewater treatment plants and make them affordable for consumers.
Even large quantities of canned and other food products that do not spoil for a long time will remain underground for several years at best. One way or another, you’re going to have to learn to cook on your own.
For example, take animals with you, from which you can later buy meat and milk. Also everything necessary to grow edible plants – vegetables, fruits, etc. It is quite possible to breed in subsoil conditions in agricultural pastures and soilless gardens.
How about without it? If sewage accumulates where people live, it will soon affect their health. If we decide to engage in agriculture, some waste can be used as fertilizer. But then we will also need a ventilation system. For the rest, we’ll most likely have to look for ways to get it out – say, throw the waste overboard. In such a case, no one cares about the ecology on the surface.
As you know, the sun is the main source of vital vitamin D. True, natural sunlight can be replaced by artificial light, for example, LED lamps that emit ultraviolet light. Or you can consume foods rich in vitamin D.
But even if these problems can be solved (and it is not yet a fact that this will be possible), the psychological aspect remains. Some people suffer from claustrophobia and cannot be in a confined space, no matter how comfortably arranged.
Those living upstairs can become depressed due to the lack of sunlight and fresh air. In addition, underground residents may fear that they will not be able to save themselves in the event of a disaster – fire or flood. They will have nowhere to run. They may also fear that if an earthquake occurs, they will die under the rubble.
Researcher Gunnar D. Jenssen from SINTEF (Norway) specializes in the psychology of underground spaces and space design. In other words, it investigates how people perceive underground spaces and how they react to being underground.
Once upon a time, he developed projects consisting of four tunnels with the illusion of expanded space. This was achieved by arranging artificial oases on routes that mimic palm trees and blue skies.
“You have the feeling of breathing, you have the feeling that you are outside, even though you are a thousand meters below the ground, you are walking through a mountain” – Jensen’s comments.
“If you give these people something to give them tangible control over the situation, they will accept the situation they are in. This is the key moment.”– the expert said in an interview with the BBC, where he discussed the possible development of underground spaces.
By contrast, Annette Kim, director of the University of Southern California’s spatial analysis lab, believes that in the future, residents of big cities will have to go underground. However, the scenarios may be different.
“If we continue to urbanize rapidly and people want to come to big cities, we will have to. [жити під землею], yes, she says. – But in the event of a total planetary catastrophe, things will be completely different because we may never be able to go.
But even if we start the preparations for moving to the dungeon right now, there is a high probability that we will not be able to predict everything. According to the same Kim, a lot depends on luck. Maybe humans will be able to survive underground and provide themselves with a decent life. Or maybe not.
Source: Port Altele
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