Jane Poynter: Life in Biosphere 2

Exploring Biospheres: Lessons from Biosphere 2

Introduction to Biospheres

• The speaker shares experiences living in two biospheres, highlighting the contrast between "Biosphere 1" (Earth) and "Biosphere 2," a sealed environment designed for research.

• Biosphere 2 was a three-acre, entirely sealed ecosystem that included diverse environments like rainforests, deserts, and agricultural areas.

Defining a Biosphere

• A biosphere is defined as materially closed (no material enters or exits) but energetically open, similar to Earth’s system.

• Initial concerns about human survival in the test module were alleviated when no harmful toxins or bacteria affected the first participant.

The Experiment Begins

• In 1991, eight individuals entered Biosphere 2 to test if life could be sustained in a man-made environment and what implications this had for potential space colonization.

• The structure included various ecosystems above ground and technical systems below, likened to a "garden of Eden on top of an aircraft carrier."

Life Inside the Biosphere

• Upon entering, participants breathed an atmosphere unique to their enclosed world; their exhaled CO2 directly contributed to plant growth within the biosphere.

• Participants consumed large quantities of sweet potatoes grown inside, leading to humorous remarks about becoming "orange with sweet potato."

Challenges Faced

• Despite efforts to maintain oxygen levels through plant growth, they experienced significant oxygen depletion—losing seven tons over time—which led to physical discomfort among participants.

• Unexpectedly low oxygen levels caused fatigue and sleep disturbances; media speculation suggested dire health consequences for those inside.

Health Implications and Conclusion

• Oxygen levels dropped from 21% to 14.2%, resulting in severe effects on participants' well-being; one doctor struggled with basic tasks due to low oxygen availability.

Exploring the Challenges and Discoveries of Biosphere 2

The Initial Experience in Biosphere 2

• The experience inside Biosphere 2 was both terrifying and exhilarating; the speaker felt they could leave at any moment but also recognized the scientific significance of their work.

• They discovered that seven tons of missing oxygen were absorbed by concrete due to excess carbon from compost, which broke down and released CO2 into the air.

• Despite a critical failure in life support due to oxygen depletion, they felt elated upon discovering the cause and knowing how to fix it.

Human Impact and Personal Reflections

• The psychological toll on participants was significant; they felt disconnected from reality after two years, leading to feelings of madness.

• Upon exiting, the speaker was overwhelmed by human scents and realized how detached they had become from food sources, struggling to recognize common food items.

• Living in Biosphere 2 provided a clear understanding of personal impact on ecosystems, contrasting sharply with their post-exit confusion about broader environmental connections.

Innovations Post-Biosphere

• After leaving, the speaker founded Paragon Space Development Corporation to explore smaller biospheres for various applications, including space missions.

• They successfully sent biospheres onto Mir Space Station and International Space Station, achieving multiple life cycles for organisms in space environments.

Future Projects: Growing Plants on Other Celestial Bodies

• An upcoming project aims to develop systems for growing plants on the Moon as part of a larger initiative for Mars colonization involving sealed ecosystems.

Environmental Insights from Eritrea

• A visit to Eritrea revealed innovative agricultural practices using seawater and sand to grow crops like oilseed while also cultivating mangroves for additional resources.

• This project transformed pollution from shrimp farms into sustainable food production for local communities, showcasing an industrial ecosystem model.

Global Transformation Towards Sustainability

• The speaker reflects on humanity's shift from destructive practices (biocidal species) towards nurturing ecosystems (biophilic society), emphasizing ongoing global transformations across various sectors.

Personal Anecdote: Small Actions Matter

Aesthetic of Untidiness and Connection to Nature

Embracing Natural Disorder

• The speaker discusses a personal aesthetic preference for untidiness, exemplified by their decision to stop raking leaves, which has led to the creation of topsoil on their property.

• They describe the transformation of their space into an "oasis" during spring, highlighting the ecological benefits that arise from allowing nature to take its course.

• The speaker suggests that if more people adopted this approach, urban areas like Tucson could experience similar natural beauty and biodiversity.

Contextualizing Our Existence

• The Industrial Revolution is referenced as a double-edged sword; while it has illuminated the world, it has also distanced humanity from nature.