The world’s 15 most at-risk nations for natural hazards are all coastal, tropical, and developing countries. NGOs and governments are spending billions of dollars to construct sea walls, levees, and other barriers to protect against risk. But unlike natural barriers, artificial ones can be easily destroyed by a single extreme weather event. SNAP is exploring how restoring coastal habitats can protect coastal communities and livelihoods, and reduce fatalities and loss of property.
Over 634 million people live less than 30 feet above sea level, and coastal cities and even entire islands risk being swallowed by the oceans by the end of the century. “We can try to build walls to keep the water out, but… it’s better not to fight nature, but to work with nature, and amphibious architecture is one answer.”
Saltwater is converted into freshwater in these greenhouses that provide a mermaid-approved alternative to desalination. The plants grow faster and yield more, and the areas surrounding the greenhouses benefit from the extra moisture in the air. Currently found in such areas as Tenerife, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Australia, the greenhouses use an evaporator and “prevailing winds” to distribute humid, freshwater air to plants for absorption.
Architecture firm NLÉ has developed an innovative floating school in Makoko, a coastal slum in Lagos, Nigeria. The Makoko Floating School prototype is the first of a three phase project designed to mitigate climate change and urbanization issues in African coastal communities.