# Vertical Farming Skyscraper Farms to Combat Global Warming By Trend Huntress | Published 2007-04-28 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertical-farming-skyscraper-farms-to-combat-global-warming References: [nymag](http://nymag.com/news/features/30020/) Dr. Dickson Despommier, [Columbia University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luffa-stoolita) professor of environmental sciences and microbiology, proposes that building crop farms on top of urban skyscrapers could provide food in land deficient populations and protect the environment. In a recent New York Magazine article, Despommier explains how 150 [vertical farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderwoods-vertical-forest) could feed the entire population of New York City. Sky farms are like [huge greenhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/your-greenhouse-is-your-kitchen), protecting crops and from foul weather and contaminated runoff. Dr. Despommier even predicts a reduction in global warming because overfarmed land could be re-forested. Because a skyscraper farm is a big-ticket item, such an idea is still five to ten years out. With populations shifting from rural communities to big cities, Dr. Despommier just might be on to something. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Vertical Farming:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the agriculture industry by building crop farms on top of urban skyscrapers to provide food in land deficient populations and protect the environment. - **Skyscraper Farms:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in urban planning by incorporating large greenhouses on top of buildings to protect crops from foul weather and contaminated runoff while reducing global warming. - **Population Shift:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in urban development to address the shifting populations from rural communities to big cities and the need for sustainable food production. ### Where This Applies - **Agriculture:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the agriculture industry by implementing vertical farming techniques in land deficient urban areas to meet the growing demand for food. - **Urban Planning:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in urban planning by integrating skyscraper farms to optimize land use and provide sustainable food sources in densely populated cities. - **Urban Development:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in urban development to create sustainable and self-sufficient cities by incorporating vertical farming solutions in response to the population shift towards big cities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Enclosed Vertical Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-1.md) - [Expansive Local Vertical Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onefarm-vertical-farm.md) - [Tech-Driven Farming Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/siemens-and-80-acres-farms.md) - [Urban Food Ecosystems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-sphere.md) - [Advanced Indoor Farming Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/advanced-indoor-farming.md) - [Aquatic Floating Farms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-marine-farm.md) - [App Controlled Indoor Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydroponic-farm.md) - [Rain-Collecting Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bpas-architects.md) - [Department Store Farming Investments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farming-brand-plenty.md)