Arizona Tucson Area Researchers believe seawater irrigation

卡尔霍奇斯's plan sounds too perfect that cast doubt on its authenticity. He wanted to grow in the desert a few million acres of vegetation, the use of seawater for irrigation - According to him, this plan would radically reduce rising sea levels, stop global warming, and to provide developing countries with several million employment opportunities. It sounds like a pipe dream, but Tucson's idea is very real. In fact, this idea is now being put into practice the Mexican state of Sonora. In Chino Gulf (KinoBay) near the coast nearly 600 acres of land in arid Sea of ​​Okhotsk (SeaofCortez) sea water, it becomes a lush green field. Locals dug a series of ditches, the water leads to irrigate the desert planting mangroves and samphire, green desert. 72-year-old Hodges said that these crops is just the beginning - even though others remain skeptical. He lives most of the time invested to increase the potential of these vegetation above, but the ideal has not yet fully realized, he tried to convince the rest of the world believe that seawater farming potential. In a recent interview, he half-jokingly said: "I did not want to understand that the world is moving too slowly or too stupid. "He can expect salt-tolerant crops worldwide coastal planting, in order to address environmental and socio-economic issues. "When people first hear seawater agriculture when it did not understand. Their first reaction was' How do you desalination? '"Howard Weiss said. He and Hodges worked together for 30 years. But the project does not involve desalination, he said. "We direct use of saline water in the ocean. And there is no use for any purpose other desert lands. "This is the water in Arizona Foundation research project, the Foundation for the University of Arizona Environmental Research Laboratory, a subsidiary body is determined by Hodges founded in 1977. The University of Arizona Environmental Research Laboratory is set by Hodges created before this decade. "This is a win-win opportunity to get. We will use bio-fuels to generate electricity, the use of biological and irrigation water to produce food. In this process, we get more fresh water available. "Hodges said confidently. In the past 30 years, he has been actively involved in the project, but the project can be traced back much earlier, namely in 1955, when he was the class of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, a freshman. There, he learned how population growth is affecting the environment. So he decided to dedicate life to protect the Earth, and began its career in environmental studies. Hodges would like to see all over the world to cover the coastal waters of the role of crops with most other plants the same - absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and release oxygen. But their benefits more than that, Hodges said. These crops can be used to produce biodiesel as fuel oil as feedstock alternatives. But not everyone is convinced. "In theory, this sounds good, but when you start to seriously consider the specific details, it is not so different. "Miami University (Ohio) plant Associate Professor Caroline Keffer (CarolynKeiffer) said. Associate Professor Dr. Keffer during the salt-tolerant plants in a lot of research. "Most of the very small volume of salt-tolerant plants. Under the proper conditions, Salicornia can grow to 12 to 18 inches tall. Therefore, even produces little energy, but also takes an extremely large number of plants, and occupy a large space. "She said. According to Dr. Kiefer, although the coastal desert is not available for farming, but in these areas before planting vegetation, still need to take into account their local vegetation and ecological environment. "This would result in limiting biodiversity. "She said. But with the increased demand for alternative fuels, Hodges thought he would get the idea of ​​supporting and developing of the soil. Hodges said: "The only viable solution is to make it market-oriented, and bring high profits. Higher profits, development will be faster. "As a result, he often go to Mexico to meet with potential investors. Finally, he raised his expectations: 10 years, planting 62 million acres in the coastal vegetation - this is Michigan area. He said that the developing world will provide 100 million jobs and contribute to a healthy balance of the atmosphere. Although it sounds a bit ridiculous expectations Hodges, but it attracted the attention of some big shot, including Martin Sheen (MartinSheen), the late Marlon Brando (MarlonBrando), Al Gore (AlGore) and former Mexican President Beeson Avon Alex (VicenteFox). "It will certainly help," Hodge said, but he added that he was not interested in fame. Why does he want to pursue fame it? He has to do himself. Hodges and his foundation has been reported in the major media, including Vanity Fair and CNN International. Despite widespread concern, but he still needs to achieve large-scale promotion of the crop. However, he is very optimistic about this. Quote former Prime Minister Winston Churchill (WinstonChurchill)'s famous quote, Hodges said that the Americans tried various other possible, you can be confident that they will do the right thing. "I think we are now about to begin. "He said.