OLD COAL MINES

Stalker noted an item on turning old coal mines in to farming units from the BBC in Wales recently.

There’s plenty of scope there for under-utilised abandoned coal-mines.

Unlike current agriculture, farming underground is unaffected by irregular seasons, climate change and the extreme weather witnessed throughout 2018.

Almost all the ingredients needed for growing crops such as lettuces, carrots, mushrooms and strawberries are already in place.

The air temperature and humidity levels are generally temperate and constant while there is a ready water supply as well as carbon dioxide.

"Tunnels and shafts would need less energy with heating, so are very attractive for food production.

They're almost perfect," said President of the World Society of Sustainable Energy Technology, Prof Saffa Riffat.