As the polar glaciers send more and more icebergs into the ocean, it comes as no surprise that people are trying to envision a future in which climate change is part of our lives. Cities that float in the Arctic feeding on icebergs are one such picture of the future.
Called the Arctic Harvester, this living vehicle-ship is the design of two French architecture students. The Arctic Harvester uses large reserves of fresh water trapped in icebergs, trapping them inside its circular shape. The ship is covered in solar panels to make the most of the energy that the long polar summer can provide.
The developers believe that these two functions are enough to support hydroponic gardens, which will feed the ship's 800 people. During the darker winter months, they envision the Arctic Harvester will draw energy from the onboard osmotic system by mixing salt and fresh water.
Arctic Harvester has no screws. “The vessel is designed to drift with the currents that carry icebergs - swirling in circular ocean currents between Greenland and the Labrador coast for two years before sailing south along the US east coast,” says team member Merim Chabani.
Now this idea is still quite far from being realized. Developers are just starting to look for investors to create the first generation of prototypes for their floating cities. But even if they never go to the ocean, they still represent a great concept that fits well with Arctic conditions.
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