| Ocean Colonization |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT OCEAN COLONIZATION | |
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| colonization, ocean | |
| futurology | |
| colonizaton, ocean | |
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PURPOSES The immediate practical advantage of this idea is you can have ocean front space with lots of fresh air and sunshine without having to buy land or pay taxes. Longer term it might lessen the effects of Overpopulation by expanding the Sustainable Living Space many times over, and the possibility of forming Micronations . Many lessons learned from ocean colonization will likely prove applicable to Space Colonization . Colonies on the ocean will be easier than colonies in space, so probably come first. In particular the issue of Sovereignty will be very similar for ocean and space colonies. ECONOMY The main obstacle to such a plan is the economics. To be more than a novel experiment the colony must be able to support itself financially. While it can save the cost of land, building a floating structure that survives in the open ocean is very expensive. So how can it make enough money to justify the expense? Ocean front land can be very valuable, especially in countries with no income taxes, so it is possible that building space and selling it to rich people could be done at a profit. Tourists like to go to warm places during the winter. Tourism drives the economies of many small islands. Depending on what all was done, Ecotourism might be a possibility. An ocean colony in the right location could also have an economy based on tourism. The colony might also be competitive as an Offshore Financial Centre . FOOD While importing Food and Fishing are most probable, other interesting possibilities include Hydroponics and Open-ocean Aquaculture . POWER Such settlements or cities would probably import diesel and run conventional power plants as small islands everywhere do. However, other interesting possibilities include Solar Power , Geothermal vents, or Tidal Energy , Nuclear Plant s, deep-sea Oil deposits, and developing/farming a species of seaweed or algae for vegetable oil. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is another interesting energy source. All that is required is tropical (warm) surface water and access to deep, very cold water. The difference in temperature is used to drive an electric generator via a turbine. (There is an added benefit in that the deep cold water usually is more fertile than surface water in the open ocean, and can support Mariculture ). EXISTING COMMUNITIES Similar communities already exist in the form of Hotel s, Research Station s, Houseboat s, houses on stilts, land below sea level behind dikes, vacation Cruise Ship s, ocean Oil Rig s, etc. Further, humans spreading to small islands throughout the world has already occurred and is ongoing. Using current technology to create Artificial Island s is just an incremental step in continuing the spread of humanity. MILLENNIAL PROJECT In his book, "", Marshall Savage puts forth one of the most comprehensive plans for ocean colonization (as one of eight steps toward colonizing the entire Galaxy .) The proposal described plans for obtaining colony materials, food, shelter, water and power from the ocean. In brief:
An internet mailing list formed to attempt to organize it. The group incorporated as the "Living Universe Foundation." The list was still in existence as of 2006.http://www.luf.org SEE ALSO
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