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A floating farm in Rotterdam rises to meet the challenge of climate change

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: In Rotterdam's port, a unique floating farm houses 30 cows on a three-level structure, aiming to reshape farming’s interaction with water and energy
The farm incorporates solar panels, a small wind turbine, and automated manure management to reduce its carbon footprint
It produces 600 liters of milk daily, along with cheese and yogurt, sold locally

🔭 The context: The farm was created to address challenges posed by climate change, such as flooding and water scarcity
Agriculture in the EU significantly pressures water resources, with 32% of groundwater and 29% of surface water affected by pollution
The European Environment Agency emphasizes changing agricultural practices to reduce water consumption

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By integrating sustainable technologies and circular economy practices, the floating farm reduces its environmental impact and serves as a model for climate-resilient agriculture
The farm uses rainwater collection and brackish water desalination, potentially setting a precedent for farming in flood-prone areas

⏭️ What's next: Plans are underway to expand the floating farm concept internationally, with interest from Asia and America
The current location in Rotterdam is temporary, as the port area is undergoing redevelopment, prompting future relocations

💬 One quote: "If you separate the manure within three hours, you get 60% fewer emissions" - Minke van Wingerden, co-founder of Floating Farm

📈 One stat: According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, approximately 30% of the world’s farmers have adopted climate change adaptation practices, such as crop diversification, improved water management, and agroforestry, to increase resilience against climate-related impacts

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change and sustainable agriculture 

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