The Biosphere 2 project in the Arizona desert, begun in the early 1990′s, was supposed to have been the largest functioning sealed environment ever created. But it failed almost immediately and was sold to developers who have yet to rebuild it. (One possible plan: a housing development called BioSphere Estates.) Photographer Noah Sheldon documents the falling-apart remains of the abandoned project. Addendum: the University of Arizona rents out Biosphere 2 and it is still open as a tourist destination. [%comments]
The Biosphere Bubble
TAGS: Experiments
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Number 6, the dead plants are nothing to be concerned about either. Some of the ongoing experiments being actively conducted in Biosphere 2 today involve reducing/increasing amounts of water or CO2 or heat and studying the rates of response. Some of this research is being used to help predict the effects of global climate change and the amount at which the environment can adapt and respond.
I agree with #4. I live in Tucson, AZ and although I have not been to the Biosphere 2 yet, I have heard great things about it. They are always advertising for educational events and lectures. It seems far from “abandoned” to me.
I’m disappointed in the lack of research that was done before publishing this post.
The Biosphere 2 Centre was successful in understanding a number of factors in climate science in its first incarnation, though as a previous post mentions the media’s understanding of success and Bio2′s goals was, to say the least incomplete.
More importantly … Bio2 was hugely successful as a university educational program for many years (semester and summer courses). Its success with students came from both an understanding of climate and what we’re doing to Biosphere 1 (the earth), as well as an effective and long-lasting introduction to the really hard conservation questions that they were in close contact with both around Bio2 and the desert Southwest.