Underground Living: A Promising Solution for Climate Change Crisis?
July 2023 might be remembered as the turning point when humanity finally acknowledged the dire consequences of our addiction to fossil fuels. As we face the reality of living in a scorching world with increasingly extreme weather events, it’s time to explore alternative solutions like underground living to adapt to this climate crisis.
Living underground offers unique benefits, mainly due to the surrounding masses of rock and soil that absorb and retain heat. These natural elements help maintain more stable temperatures, reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning or heating systems.
Interestingly, underground living is not a novel concept. Throughout history, people and even animals have found comfort beneath the earth’s surface. Take Coober Pedy in South Australia, for example, where 60 percent of the population embraces underground living. While above ground, the scorching summer heat can cause distress, underground residents enjoy luxurious setups with cozy lounge rooms, swimming pools, and ample living spaces.
However, the question remains: is underground living a viable solution for the emerging climate crisis? In Coober Pedy, homes must be at least 2.5 meters below the surface to prevent roof collapses. Although cave-ins occur occasionally, modern tools like industrial excavation equipment have made the excavation process faster and safer. Surprisingly, cutting through large chunks of rock is relatively easy due to the softness of the sandstone and siltstone, sometimes requiring nothing more than a penknife.
Aside from the occasional neighborly mishap, living below ground enhances privacy. Nonetheless, the concept of permanently residing underground poses several challenges. Many cultures associate the underworld with death, triggering claustrophobia and fears of poor ventilation and cave collapses. Humans deprived of daylight for extended periods can experience disruptions to their circadian rhythm, leading to a range of health problems, including excessive sleep.
Additionally, underground living carries the risk of flash flooding, which becomes even more concerning as climate change brings about more extreme weather events. These floods pose a significant threat to the approximately 1,500 people who call the tunnels beneath Las Vegas home. Designed for stormwater drainage, these subterranean tunnels can flood within minutes, leaving individuals with no time to evacuate and potentially leading to tragic outcomes.
Constructing subterranean structures necessitates pricier and heavier materials capable of withstanding the underground pressures. Extensive geological surveys must be conducted before excavations to accurately measure these forces. Moreover, the underground temperature is influenced by what happens above ground. For instance, the Chicago Loop business district experienced a significant rise in temperatures due to the increase in heat-generating infrastructure, which can lead to structural damage to buildings as the earth expands.
To make underground environments more appealing, they must offer safety, security, natural light, good ventilation, and a sense of connection with the outside world. A prime example of such an environment is Montreal’s RÉSO, a 20-mile-long underground city that seamlessly integrates with the above-ground surroundings. This subterranean complex connects various buildings, providing a refuge from freezing temperatures while housing offices, retail spaces, hotels, and schools.
With certain regions in Iran, Pakistan, and India already facing dangerously high temperatures due to climate change, the idea of building earthscrapers instead of skyscrapers may gain traction if the planet continues to heat up.
In conclusion, the concept of underground living presents intriguing possibilities for mitigating the effects of the climate crisis. While it offers stability, privacy, and energy efficiency, challenges such as psychological barriers, flood risks, and construction complexities must be addressed. Balancing the benefits and drawbacks of living underground will be crucial as we navigate the future of our planet’s climate.
