Is vertical farming a viable solution for global food security?
Vertical farming is not a viable solution to global food security. Despite the hype, the energy demands for artificial lighting and climate control make it economically unfeasible for staple crops like wheat and rice. A 2019 study found that a single hectare of vertical farm uses over 100 times the electricity of a conventional farm. I'd rather see investment in regenerative soil practices that sequester carbon and improve yields on a large scale.