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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a nonprofit is using geothermal energy from the world’s deepest hot spring to grow vegetables year-round in three innovative greenhouse domes, even during harsh winters
• The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership channels naturally heated water to warm the greenhouses sustainably, supporting local food security and demonstrating a scalable model for low-carbon agriculture
🔭 The context: Indoor farming is a proven strategy to extend growing seasons and enhance resilience against climate and market volatility, but traditional greenhouses rely heavily on fossil fuels, driving up emissions and costs
• Iceland and Turkey have long demonstrated how geothermal energy can decarbonize greenhouse agriculture, yet uptake in the U.S. has been limited due to high upfront costs and policy gaps
• Only about 44 geothermal greenhouses currently operate nationwide, despite favorable geothermal resources across much of the western U.S.
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Geothermal greenhouses cut heating-related emissions by using Earth’s natural heat, offering a replicable solution for sustainable, climate-resilient food production in colder climates
• They also improve local food security, reduce dependence on long supply chains, and can help mitigate rural food deserts
• Scaling such systems could lower the significant carbon footprint of greenhouse-grown produce while strengthening local economies
⏭️ What's next: The Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits for geothermal projects remain intact, offering an unprecedented opportunity for expansion, though high installation costs and recent trade tariffs on equipment pose challenges
• Advocates are calling for further incentives to make geothermal greenhouse development financially viable for small farmers and rural communities
• The Pagosa Springs model, with its integration of community gardens, hydroponics, and partnerships with food pantries, may inspire similar projects elsewhere in the U.S., especially in resource-rich states like Idaho, Alaska, and Montana
💬 One quote: “Geothermal greenhouses offer a more sustainable solution by using the Earth’s natural heat directly for warming, greatly reducing overall energy use and carbon footprint,” said Gina Marie Butrico, co-author of Greenhouse Agriculture in the Icelandic Food System
📈 One stat: Heating accounts for up to 80% of greenhouse operating costs — geothermal systems can virtually eliminate this expense once installed
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