Dim Light

Just how dark is it supposed to get, really? I ask because I've been thinking about the practicalities of growing sufficient food under artificial lighting and am beginning to wonder if this is at all realistic for anything but seedling development or very specific crops. Is it more likely that a Solarium could be constructed to house the garden, or will it be too dark for even growing plants in these conditions (assuming one has sufficient glass or similar to construct)? Any thoughts or pointers?

Offered by Gino.

So much of the planet will be in near total darkness (from volcanic ash, etc.) and the areas that may have more light are too difficult to predict. Our advice and intent in planning is to plan for little or no light. If you happen to be in an area that is fortunate enough to have good climate and clear skies, you will likely also be in an area that has high winds (on the order of a couple of hundred miles per hour) and these solarium designs will have difficulty withstanding them (the high winds).

Offered by Roger.

Moses bemoaned the lack of light, the gloom, where nothing grew, essentially. I think the range will be from something like dawn or dusk, worse near active volcanoes (upwind), better in some spots.

Offered by Nancy.

I have always heard the number six months and how dark. Take those cloudy dreary days when it is drizzling and about two hours before sunset with the cloud cover will be about it. After six months it will take 2 years for weather patterns to stabilize a little, so the green houses are to protect against frost or weird snows, etc. Plants that can tolerate moderate frosts don't have to be in a green house. Tomatoes (needed for vitamin C) and other plants will need one. The high winds are done after the first six months. You need a good years supply of food and for six months you can do little but sleep and rest. I feel the earth tremors etc., will happen for months after so hard to start a green house if the winds are still strong the ground still trembles. Best to live off food stored and maybe wait a year to start a green house.

Offered by Dave.

I have thought at length about what might happen in the future. A huge range of potential scenarios spring to mind. It seems to me that as the first level one has to take all the potential events scenarios) that might eventuate and then consider these individually or in concert with other mishaps. The second level will be the scale of the impact for any of the events that might affect us. The third level is about the measures we have to take to protect us and our friends and families from the potential impacts. These impacts may be zero for a distant comet pass to 10 for a direct hit of a 150 mile diameter object which will destroy this planet. In this case we can not prepare for it. We may have winds, floods, flash fires and prolonged darkness as well as sulphurous rains.

Offered by Stephen.