we would live in cities underwater?

Overpopulation and climate change are already present issues. But we will have to deal with them even more in the distant future. Due to the high number of people that are added every year, life on earth is becoming more difficult.

Living space is becoming less and less and the need for privacy is less as well. Climate change is also making it almost impossible to live normally here in the future. 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. So, why do we not move our living space into the water?

Maybe our distant future will look like this, an underwater world as you would just imagine it from your own dreams; tremendous calmness, and being surrounded by many different aquatic animals. Just imagine waking up in your bed. There you can just watch fishes swimming above and under you behind the walls of your home for the rest of your day. Basically, you would have your own aquarium.

The idea of a water city has already been existing for many decades. Even in Greek mythology, it is quite well-known. It is said, the water god Poseidon has lived underwater in a golden palace. This idea may sound a bit surreal at first glance, but it could soon become reality. Obviously, for that, we have to keep some things in mind. We cannot just build a city underwater.

The city has to be surrounded by walls. Otherwise, water would just come inside everywhere. Of course, the walls can be made out of big glasses as well. However, this glass must be stable enough to withstand the water masses and water pressure. By having glass as walls, you can enjoy watching fishes swimming in the water. However, we still have to protect the biodiversity in the seas. We can’t just put living space for us in the sea by destroying its home from the many species. Currently, the sea still belongs to the animals who are living there, and they have the right to be there. Animals also have a great influence on our ecosystem, which determines our everyday life to a great extent. If we also destroy large food chains by introducing human habitat in the water, we would also severely limit our way of life at the same time and negatively impact our future. We have to respect this aspect.

Plankton could even be planted on the glass walls or on the buildings, which would be a source of food for various fish. At the same time, the idea would also support our ecosystem.

You can even see fishes eating from the plankton. By watching the animals, you would get an interest in these species and habitats. You would concern yourself more and more with these animals. This might course an enthusiasm at own research of the underworld. You are fascinated by a certain creature and you still want to get even more information about it by researching the animal. Research to the underwater world could be more simply converted because you are already most time in the water anyway. By the far and more efficient research of the living world, it can also have a very positive influence and effect on the animals in the water. You can develop special methods to protect the biodiversity even better and support them in their way of life. We would understand the life down there in the sea much better.

However, the question is also how fresh and sufficient oxygen should reach the bottom of the sea. It would have to be enough oxygen in the buildings to breathe without any worries. The negative pressure will be a challenge here, as it means the body even needs more oxygen than usual. Perhaps this problem could be solved by using the same principle as for submarines. With the help of hoses, the oxygen would have to be pumped down into the systems of the underwater city. Therefore, a whole network of ventilation tubes will probably be needed in every house. We’d need to build life support systems that would maintain air composition, temperature, and humidity.

However, another problem with the idea will be light. Daylight, as we know it on the surface, will hardly exist in the water. The sun's rays provide us with natural light. Therefore, during the day it is bright and we can see our surroundings with our eyes. However, sunlight can’t spread in water as well as on our surface. It is reflected by the water. Therefore, it is very dark especially deep in the sea. It makes seeing with our eyes barely impossible. It will feel like night all the time and make it difficult to see. Outdoor lighting is needed to see anything in the underwater city. But that doesn’t mean our dreams of underwater living can never come true.

Fishes are not adapted to these kinds of environments. This can be a disruptive factor for many animals. The lamps would either have to be shielded by walls. Or lamps could be developed, so they are even animal friendly. The lamps should definitely not endanger the biodiversity in their habitat. Of course, we can better enjoy and marvel at the beauty of the underwater world with lamps.

We probably wouldn't choose the deepest seas for our underwater city. Instead of going too deep into the ocean, we’d settle about 100 meters undersea. We are still not completely isolated from civilization on the surface and still have our own “world”.

Of course, if you live there you also need a job which is nearby your living space. Or you can get to the surface by elevator and do your normal daily life or work on the surface. But an underwater world also allows for many people new jobs that we would have never thought of before. Workers can be used to study the animals in the sea. Others can grow plankton for fishes and make sure that everything stays functional. Security must be guaranteed for every resident there. Everyone should have the right to continue their normal life there. For this, employees are needed to monitor life-support systems such as air composition, temperature, and humidity from the surface.

Water can also be used to produce energy. Instead of wind, as with wind turbines, water flow is used to generate energy. The generated energy can be used for the electricity of the underwater city. So, we could also use wave power. But of course, solar panels on the water surface can be used as well.

Food supply shouldn’t be a big problem. We could get fresh fish at any time. Nevertheless, we would still have to continue using drinking water from the earth's surface.

Emergency plans would also have to be created for the underwater city. A hole in the wall can cause water to flow into the interior of the buildings. Regular inspection of the walls is needed to take preventive action against damage. But also, regular tests must be carried out in order to be able to react correctly in case of an emergency.

Due to the water pressure, it will not be possible to surface from the water immediately. Your lungs would shrivel to the size of a pop can and your veins would collapse. Therefore, it would always take some time to get on the water surface.

Perhaps all this will not remain just dreams of the future but will even soon be implemented here on earth. It has many advantages as well as disadvantages. But in general, the world down there in the sea is very unique and beautiful. Therefore, we should definitely not deny the consideration of a water city for our future in general.