Toward a Hydroponic Future

This book describes how hydroponic technologies contribute to solving some of the most challenging problems we face in today's world. It is divided into four parts. The first part provides a basic overview of hydroponics. Parts Two, Three, and Four are built around three major themes: (1) Meeting the basic human needs; (2) Restoring and preserving the environment for future generations; and (3) Transforming the future into a more unwasteful and sustainable world. Part Two is comprised of seven chapters that describe how hydroponic technologies are used to combat familial hunger, raise farm fish to meet the growing, world-wide demand for fish, feed and maintain the health of the world's livestock population, develop new, plant-based pharmaceuticals, establish and support a permanent colony of humans on Mars, and cultivate flowers. Part Three addresses environmental issues such as climate change, land and space use, air and water pollution, and the need for developing clean sources of energy to power the planet. Part Four focuses on how hydroponics is being used to advance our understanding of plant growth and development and to educate and train the next generation of farmers. The final chapter of the book, "Futuristic Hydroponics," lays the groundwork for planning and building a hydroponic future and shows what hydroponic facilities might look like in the years ahead.