Chinese scientists propose turning abandoned coal mines into underground farms

Insulated from surface weather and natural disasters, mining tunnels could offer agricultural advantages amid climate change, scientists say An estimated 15,000 abandoned mines in China are expected to close by 2030. Insulated from surface weather and natural disasters, these subterranean spaces offer unique advantages. “With climate change intensifying globally, the stability and sustainability of traditional land agricultural systems are facing severe challenges,” they wrote, adding that there was a lot of practical value in developing “closed-environment farming”. The paper assesses whether critical factors – including light, temperature and water – could support these farming operations.

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