Terraforming startup wants to save sinking cities with robot-powered land lifts

[Cal Jeffrey]

Why it matters: Whenever I hear the word "terraforming," I immediately think of sci-fi novels like Larry Niven's Ringworld or games like No Man's Sky, where you can literally dig down or pile up earth to suit your needs. Now, a San Francisco startup is using the concept to save sinking cities and restore wetlands.

San Rafael is sinking into the ocean. The small city just north of San Francisco is already three feet below sea level and is sinking about half an inch per year. The city's elevation and proximity to the Bay increase its risk of flooding, particularly from rising sea levels.

Other cities in the US and overseas are in similar situations. A Climate Central study estimates that some 300 million people could face routine flooding by 2050. Conventional protection relies on seawalls, which would cost more than $400 billion in the US alone. A new startup is proposing an out-of-the-box approach that could achieve the same goal for a fraction of the cost.

Terranova has developed autonomous robots that inject a slurry of wood waste into the ground. Over time, the process raises the land, reversing subsidence and lowering flood risk.

Terranova claims its technique is more cost-effective and stable than traditional flood mitigation methods.

Terranova co-founder and CEO Laurence Allen said San Rafael's Canal District sits "really far under sea level." He estimates a seawall would cost the city $500 million to $900 million, an amount unaffordable for its roughly 60,000 residents. By contrast, the startup estimates it can lift 240 acres of San Rafael by four feet for $92 million.

TechCrunch notes that Terranova recently closed a $7 million seed round, valuing the startup at $25.1 million. Investors include Congruent Ventures, Outlander, GoAhead Ventures, Gothams, and Ponderosa.

The company's strategy relies on cheap, widely available waste wood mixed with proprietary materials to create a slurry. Tracked robotic units autonomously drill wells and inject the mixture up to 60 feet underground. If kept wet, the wood should not decompose, keeping the terraformed region stable. The startup plans to sell carbon credits to offset project costs.

Terranova developed specialized software for its autonomous robots. Models of the subsurface combine public geographic data and core samples from California water wells. An algorithm calculates injection patterns, which operators can tweak using a SimCity-like interface. Once the robots finish injecting, the slurry consolidates within two hours.

Some experts have raised concerns that underground wood slurry could affect earthquake behavior. However, Allen maintains that similar risks exist with most other alternatives, and his method could be safer and more stable than seawalls or dikes.

Terranova's business model splits revenue with contractors, but the startup hopes its lower costs will make its approach attractive for projects beyond cities, including wetland restoration. For Allen, the focus is personal.

"I'm from San Rafael, born and raised," he said. "I really want to save the city."

Permalink to story:

Terraforming startup wants to save sinking cities with robot-powered land lifts

 

[pnntmp]

LOL they'll have to find some really sinking cities first, I guess.

More than 25% of the Netherlands territory is below the sea level, and the Dutch are somehow just living there for centuries without amazing startups using amazing terraforming sci-fi robots to do amazing sci-fi stuff.

 

[Tantor]

Interesting article but somewhat misleading. It conflates San Rafael's sinking with climate change.

The truth is that the Earth's sea levels have been rising gradually for hundreds of years. Since way before the industrial era. For a much better explanation, check out this article.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/sea-level-rise-is-accelerating-dramatically/

"According to tide gauge data, global sea levels are rising at a rate of about 7-8 inches per century, a rate that has remained steady despite our escalating carbon dioxide emissions, I.e. the cause is probably predominantly natural. We could globally cease all carbon dioxide emissions overnight and sea levels would continue to rise, an inevitability to which we must adapt."

 

[VitalyT]

Embrace the Waterworld!

 

[Liranan]

Interesting article but somewhat misleading. It conflates San Rafael's sinking with climate change.

The truth is that the Earth's sea levels have been rising gradually for hundreds of years. Since way before the industrial era. For a much better explanation, check out this article.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/sea-level-rise-is-accelerating-dramatically/

"According to tide gauge data, global sea levels are rising at a rate of about 7-8 inches per century, a rate that has remained steady despite our escalating carbon dioxide emissions, I.e. the cause is probably predominantly natural. We could globally cease all carbon dioxide emissions overnight and sea levels would continue to rise, an inevitability to which we must adapt."

This lie has led ever more taxes and massive money laundering. If the sea level was really rising then the Roman baths they built at sea level would have flooded but nothing's changed for over 2000 years.

 

[mbk34]

LOL they'll have to find some really sinking cities first, I guess.

There are many sinking cities around the world. Venice is the obvious one but Mexico city is sinking by up to 50cm (over a foot) a year. Houston is sinking by 2cm/year (just under an inch). Dallas and Fort Worth and sinking by about 4mm (1/5 inch) per year. New York, Chicago, Seattle and Denver are also sinking. It doesn't sound much but over a century it quickly mounts up and then you include sea level rise then many cities are expected to be untenable.

Interesting article but somewhat misleading. It conflates San Rafael's sinking with climate change.

Most cities are sinking because of ground water extraction. When cities are sinking and the sea level is rising this becomes a big issue especially if cities are near the coast or situated in flood planes.

According to tide gauge data, global sea levels are rising at a rate of about 7-8 inches per century, a rate that has remained steady despite our escalating carbon dioxide emissions, I.e. the cause is probably predominantly natural.

Can you please supply a link to where it states that, I couldn't find it but it's a big site. Sea levels have been rising since the last ice age as the ice slowly melts. The problem is each of the years in the past decade have been hottest years on record so the ice is melting faster. Most studies show average sea level rose 1.9mm per year during the 20th century. In the 1990's it was rising at 3.2mm a year. In the last decade it's been rising at 3.9mm a year. In old money that means the sea is rising an inch every 6.5 years.

 

[human7]

I wonder if they or solutions like it will be able to save many of the island communities, where the whole island is at risk of slipping beneath the waves within the next 50 years. Entire cultures are at risk, since if they were to simply get up and move to a country that would accept them (if there is such a place), they would not only be uprooted from their homes, but they would loose autonomy, national identity, and their culture would go extinct over time.

 

[daffy duck]

This lie has led ever more taxes and massive money laundering. If the sea level was really rising then the Roman baths they built at sea level would have flooded but nothing's changed for over 2000 years.

Ah the head up their arse climate deniers out in force. It's pathetic that there are people so stupid that they honestly believe the mountains of data records that have been measuring sea level rise for 140 years and now showing a rise of 15-25cm since 1880, and now increasing at a rate of 2.5-3mm/year, is all part of a giant plan to obtain sea-side property for cheap off the gullible people.

 

[Liranan]

Ah the head up their arse climate deniers out in force. It's pathetic that there are people so stupid that they honestly believe the mountains of data records that have been measuring sea level rise for 140 years and now showing a rise of 15-25cm since 1880, and now increasing at a rate of 2.5-3mm/year, is all part of a giant plan to obtain sea-side property for cheap off the gullible people.

Love it when a climate propagandist calls me a denier after I've proven that he lives in denial himself. Where's your proof other than ad hominen attacks?

If these climate lies were correct the world would have turned into water world already. Only 10 years to go since the 50's.

 

[scavengerspc]

Love it when a climate propagandist calls me a denier after I've proven that he lives in denial himself

You have proven what you always prove. That you can't prove a damn thing.

Where's your proof other than ad hominen attacks?

Harvard scientists find the first definitive proof of the rise of oceans

"There it was — a sea level fingerprint, proof of their existence."

interestingengineering.com

Tracking 30 Years of Sea Level Rise - NASA Science

Global mean sea level has risen 101 millimeters (3.98 inches) since 1992, and it continues to do so at 3.9 mm (0.15 inches) per year.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Sea Levels Rising Faster than at Any Time in 4,000 Years, Study Warns

A study of geological records reveals that sea levels are rising at their fastest rate in 4,000 years, underscoring the urgent need for both global and local action. A Rutgers-led team of scientists has found that today’s sea levels are climbing faster than at any point in the past 4,000 years, p

scitechdaily.com

Climate Change Indicators: Sea Level | US EPA

This indicator describes how sea level has changed over time. The indicator describes two types of sea level changes: absolute and relative.

www.epa.gov

Ask anyone for more. I dare ya.

If the head in the sand denier whiners are so damn sure of yourselves, then take it up
with NASA, NOAA, Harvard, Yale, the EPA and the NWS.
You all read from the same damn script and are nothing more than repetitive and boring.

 

[Liranan]

You have proven what you always prove. That you can't prove a damn thing.

Harvard scientists find the first definitive proof of the rise of oceans

"There it was — a sea level fingerprint, proof of their existence."

interestingengineering.com

Tracking 30 Years of Sea Level Rise - NASA Science

Global mean sea level has risen 101 millimeters (3.98 inches) since 1992, and it continues to do so at 3.9 mm (0.15 inches) per year.

earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Sea Levels Rising Faster than at Any Time in 4,000 Years, Study Warns

A study of geological records reveals that sea levels are rising at their fastest rate in 4,000 years, underscoring the urgent need for both global and local action. A Rutgers-led team of scientists has found that today’s sea levels are climbing faster than at any point in the past 4,000 years, p

scitechdaily.com

Climate Change Indicators: Sea Level | US EPA

This indicator describes how sea level has changed over time. The indicator describes two types of sea level changes: absolute and relative.

www.epa.gov

Ask anyone for more. I dare ya.

If the head in the sand denier whiners are so damn sure of yourselves, then take it up
with NASA, NOAA, Harvard, Yale, the EPA and the NWS.
You all read from the same damn script and are nothing more than repetitive and boring.

Only 10 years left, since 1950's, in the meantime the sea level hasn't risen a millimetre. But I'm wrong and all coastal cities are drowning. Thank you media, I wouldn't know a thing if it weren't for you. Those WMD's will turn up any second now.

You are the very definition of 1984: The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.

The man was a seer.

 

[scavengerspc]

Only 10 years left, since 1950's, in the meantime the sea level hasn't risen a millimetre.

See what I mean? You are lost in your own little denial of even the most basic facts.

Sea Level Rise - Florida Climate Center

The Florida Climate Center (FCC) is a public service unit of the Florida State University Institute of Science and Public Affairs. Home of the State Climatologist, the Florida Climate Center provides climate data and information for the state of Florida.

climatecenter.fsu.edu

The problems they are facing is not a natural cycle. I would suggest, if this is beyond you, do everything in your power to fix it. I know you are capable, I have seen you in other threads.

Thank you media, I wouldn't know a thing if it weren't for you. Those WMD's will turn up any second now.

The media did its best against the WMD claims of that administration.
The media didn't start it. But their reporting settled it.

ou are the very definition of 1984: The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears

Well let me get the Twilight Zone theme out of my head brother.............

Ok, anyway, rejection of evidence is in your mirror every day.
I read these things big time through the years to learn the problem, separate the fact from the hyperbole, and draw my own, educated conclusions. I also have the benefit of a family member that work at the NWS on loan from NOAA.

Of course, unlike you, I am open to admitting if I'm wrong. I have certainly done it here, and NOT just a few times. But it takes reasonable debate and evidence. 2 things, by the way, you have not once provided. So give more than the usual propaganda behind "trust me bro".
(And a shoutout to @wiyosaya for that slogan)

 

[wiyosaya]

Only 10 years left, since 1950's, in the meantime the sea level hasn't risen a millimetre.

I cannot tell whether you are being sarcastic or not, I'll assume that you are not and you believe that Sea Level has not risen even a millimeter since the 1950s.

There's an old adage "Believe nothing that you hear and only half that you see."

Perhaps we should update that to "Believe nothing you hear on the internet or in media outlets unless you can verify it and believe nothing you see on the internet since it could be generated by AI."

Make of this what you will, but this website has been reviewed by several scientists. https://ocean.si.edu/through-time/ancient-seas/sea-level-rise If it is properly interpreted, it states that there has been sealevel rise between 1950 and 1990, however, that assumption can be extended to at least the year 2000.

I doubt there are many, if any at all, reputable scientists that would refute/debunk this.

 

[Northy]

We are seeing land and sea heat records being broken at an unprecedented rate. Looking back 20, 30, 50 years ago isn't looking at what is happening right now. Every year for the last decade is either the hottest on record or extremely close and it shows no sign of turning around whilst we're all busy converting as much energy as we can and releasing it into the atmosphere.

The same science they used to model the greenhouse effect in the 1950's still applies and is unfolding exactly as predicted. The major problems were never predicted to begin in these times but 50-75 years in the future from now. This is why the Paris agreement has a 2100 target date.

I understand many simply don't care, or think that because they can't see the change with their eyes that the change isn't happening. But it is, and we won't be around to witness the most extreme outcomes of what we are doing. Despite fantastical and misleading science reporting, deliberate misinformation campaigns and common misconceptions, climate science is unflinching. Nothing has changed in terms of what happens when you heat stuff up that contains life, the global outcome seems foregone.

 

[Madethedevilcry]

Interesting article but somewhat misleading. It conflates San Rafael's sinking with climate change.

https://rumble.com/v71ni7m-the-foun...as-been-lying-about-clima.html?e9s=src_v1_mfp

 

[Madethedevilcry]

Ah the head up their arse climate deniers out in force. It's pathetic that there are people so stupid that they honestly believe the mountains of data records that have been measuring sea level rise for 140 years and now showing a rise of 15-25cm since 1880, and now increasing at a rate of 2.5-3mm/year, is all part of a giant plan to obtain sea-side property for cheap off the gullible people.

take a minute to hear the difference between a "denier" and a "skeptic"
https://rumble.com/v71ni7m-the-foun...as-been-lying-about-clima.html?e9s=src_v1_mfp