We Are Planetary Gardeners

A Techno-Biophilic Vision

Adventures in Plants

In April 2022, I came across Harpreet Sareen’s work on Cyborg Botany—conceptual, technical installations developed at the MIT Media Lab, where plants, connected to sensors and simple robotics, had the ability to drive themselves around a botanical garden. If "Elowan," one of the robot plant hybrids, wanted more light, it could scoot closer to a light source to get it! There’s something about good design—it doesn’t just make you think, it makes you grin. Harpreet’s demo caught my attention right away.

Curious to learn more, I dug into the references in his work. What I found shocked me: real science appeared to suggest that plants are incredibly aware of their surroundings in ways I hadn’t imagined, and that they do, in fact, process complex information and communicate through electrical signals—using mechanisms that resemble our nervous systems. Um, what?! Plants were up to a lot more than I realized—a world of activity hidden in plain sight.

To say I’ve been around plants my entire life is an understatement. My family’s legacy as greenhouse operators goes back five generations. My parents ran large commercial greenhouses, advanced even by today’s standards, where I spent countless hours as a kid. These spaces were intricate systems: nutrient mixtures pumped from giant drums, water delivered by mist booms or ebb-and-flow benches, and roofs engineered for natural ventilation. Every detail was designed to create an optimal environment for thousands of plant varieties. It was a place where technology and nature intertwined, and though I didn’t realize it at the time, it left a deep impression on me.

Just down the road was another world—the woods. While the greenhouse was orderly and technical, the woods were wild and boundless, a playground for adventure. As kids, we climbed trees, dug holes, carved spears, built fires, and crafted fortresses. We hunted, built traps, caught critters in the creek, and figured out what berries we could eat. Without going into too much detail, the adventures got even wilder as I got older. It was a place where we were free to roam, learn lessons the hard way, and get away from, you know... rules. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those endless, unsupervised hours gave me a real sense of how things work and a connection to the way of woods.

These two environments, the controlled greenhouse and the wild woods, left me with a deep desire to be surrounded by nature and a real sense of the creative potential to interact with and shape nature through technology. In many ways, this has guided how I interact with the world—through building companies, exploring architecture and design, and seeing opportunity in Detroit’s abundance of green spaces.

Learning about cyborg botany and the potential for “intelligent” plants took me by surprise—not with a lightning strike of shock and clarity, but more of an invitation, “Look closer. Listen. There’s something here.” As I learned more, I felt like a kid again, moving between the greenhouse and the woods, sensing that these spaces—and what they represented—were somehow connected, and good.

So I followed that tug. I searched for more information, read more papers, and visited plant electrophysiology labs. I dove into unfamiliar areas of the horticulture industry—landscaping, forestry, interiorscaping—to expand my perspective. What started as curiosity became an exploration and grew into a deep sense that there was an overlooked opportunity to bring this into the world in some new way. As an entrepreneur, I felt compelled to turn this discovery into something tangible, something that could function within real constraints, deliver lasting value, and sustain itself in the world. That’s when I decided to start The Electric Plant Company.

In April 2023, a mutual investor introduced me to my co-founder. Lee von Kraus is a contrarian scientist drawn to areas mainstream research overlooks, often in spite of data. He’s a neuroscientist with a hacker’s spirit, and that barely begins to describe his range: collaborations with DARPA and NASA, inventions named in Time’s 100 Best, a role as a choreographed fighter at the Met Opera, and even a patented "beverage creation device." Lee immediately brought a new level of energy and ingenuity to our exploration. During our first call, he suggested using some brain-computer interface tools (he happened to have on hand) to wire up plants and start experimenting right away. This combination of hands-on creativity and scientific depth defines Lee. He’s as comfortable synthesizing research from biological signaling and climate science as he is running rapid, hands-on experiments to tackle complex questions.

Working together accelerated our exploration. We identified roadblocks preventing this technology from reaching the world, developed our own technology to address them, and mapped out a masterplan. Along the way, we’ve been supported by an incredible group of advisors, investors, and collaborators—all of us united by a vision of a world where people can communicate with plants in entirely new ways.

Knowing what a plant needs and wants is a mystery almost everyone can relate to. If you’ve ever tried to keep a houseplant alive, you know the struggle—watering too much, then not enough, reading the tea leaves and hoping for the best.

Prior to The Electric Plant Company, I started Bloomscape, an online garden center that shipped full-grown houseplants around the country. Bloomscape grew quickly, becoming the fastest-growing plant brand in the world at the time. Our story was a continuation of my family’s horticultural heritage, but our mission wasn’t just to sell plants; it was to give people the confidence they needed to really care for their plants well.

We created how-to guides, a plant care app, and even launched a hotline staffed by my mom, dubbed “Plant Mom.” Through all this, we learned something important: people love caring for their plants—when they feel like they know what they’re doing. But knowing what plants actually need and when? That’s a whole other matter. This knowledge has been relegated to a kind of mystical status—held by green thumbs and master gardeners, but seemingly out of reach for the rest of us. That remains the biggest source of anxiety for plant owners—and the biggest barrier to a greener, plantier human world.

At the very least, understanding the inner world of plants will transform plant care for both consumers and professionals. But what if this goes much further? What if this isn’t just about keeping plants alive, but about unlocking something much bigger?

The World as Our Garden

Nature is dead! Long live nature! ¹

Human fingerprints now cover every square inch of our planet. Studies have shown that a staggering 97% of Earth’s land has been modified or affected by human activity, from urban development and agriculture to resource extraction and pollution. This level of impact extends even into remote ecosystems, leaving only a fraction of habitats hypothetically unaltered. While these ecosystems were once considered pristine, they are now understood to be heavily shaped by human activities, prompting scientists to propose a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, defined by human-driven environmental change. While nature itself persists, our conception of it as “untouched” or “wild” no longer aligns with reality.²

The primary response of the environmental movement has been to encourage retreat: a ‘leave no trace’ ethos that seeks to minimize human impact and, if possible, restore nature to an idealized, untouched state. While efforts to reduce carbon emissions, prevent pollution, and conserve biodiversity have yielded positive results, this mindset of ‘returning to the way it was’ has revealed major limitations. In many cases, it is impractical and, at times, counterproductive, as it fails to address the reality that human influence is now woven into nearly every ecosystem.³

Though scientists and conservationists devote significant expertise and sincere effort to restoration, recent attempts at environmental restoration underscore the risks of well-intentioned interventions that overlook complex ecological relationships. Efforts to remove certain invasive species⁴, for instance, have unintentionally harmed endangered animals⁵ that adapted to their altered habitats, while eradicating non-native grazers⁶ can unexpectedly tip local plant communities out of balance. On a larger scale, fire suppression policies meant to protect human settlements have disrupted natural fire cycles, fueling more severe wildfires⁷; and reforestation strategies in unsuitable conditions have, at times, accelerated soil depletion⁸ rather than reversing it. In another striking example, reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from container ships—a step intended to lower pollution—has inadvertently warmed sea surfaces⁹, intensifying climate challenges. In each case, the nuance and interconnectedness of ecosystems defy simple fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions.

These examples highlight the unintended consequences that can arise from attempting to revert or improve ecosystems without comprehensive, real-time insight into their complex dynamics—especially as change now outpaces our ability to fully comprehend and anticipate ecological responses. It’s a bit like ER doctors and ICU staff administering critical treatments without diagnostic monitors, doing their best but ultimately working in the dark.

According to Eric Higgs, a Professor at the University of Victoria and a well-regarded figure in the field of restoration ecology:

“In a world increasingly shaped by human actions and environmental change, restoration practitioners must acknowledge that returning ecosystems to a historical condition may no longer be feasible, and, in some cases, may not be the most desirable outcome.”¹⁰

Healthy Plants, Healthy People

This isn’t to say we bail on nature and just see what happens. Nature isn’t just something we should care about in some abstract ethical sense—it’s something we crave. Lush forests, vibrant coral reefs, and singing birds don’t merely keep us alive; they make life feel worth living. A future rich in diverse ecosystems isn’t about returning to the past or scolding anyone; it’s about embracing the fact that we genuinely love green spaces, clean water, and abundant wildlife. They fulfill our practical needs, yes, but they also nourish our spirits, spark our imaginations, and bring joy into our everyday lives. A life full of nature is a life of luxury.

This applies to domestic and urban spaces as much as it does the wilderness. Plants in particular, make us feel good. Being surrounded by plants has a range of proven benefits for our well-being. Physically, plants improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, releasing oxygen, and increasing humidity, which can reduce symptoms of dry skin, respiratory discomfort, and fatigue.¹¹ Studies have also shown that exposure to plants can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lead to quicker recovery times in healthcare settings, improve sleep quality and mood, and increase overall feelings of happiness and calm.¹² This is partially attributed to plants’ natural ability to lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and promote relaxation.¹³ Plants can enhance cognitive function and productivity as well; research shows that greenery in work or study environments improves focus, memory, and creativity.¹⁴

There is no version of human flourishing that’s disconnected from plants. Beyond direct health and wellness benefits, the presence of plants provides us with one of the most powerful ways to project or detect environments that are healthy for humans. Healthy plants imply natural light, clean air and water, and people capable of caring for something. It turns out, our connection to nature runs deep. Healthy plants and functioning natural systems are assets, plain and simple.

Techno-Biophilia

Our bond with nature has always depended on technology to thrive. Gone are the days when we had to endure harsh elements or live in constant fear of predators, battling against the raw forces of nature for survival. Technology allows us to experience nature on our terms—whether camping, snorkeling, or simply tending to our plants at home. These experiences are technologically mediated, holding us at the edge between total immersion and safety. In truth, we are drawn to nature in ways that allow us to regulate and control our exposure, leveraging tools to create a relationship that is both awe-inspiring and safe.¹⁵

When it comes to our relationship with plants specifically, technology has largely focused on agriculture: maximizing crop yields, developing controlled growing environments, and refining methods like hydroponics and aeroponics for food production. These innovations treat plants as factories for output, measuring success in bushels and tons. Yet, the world of horticulture offers something different. It isn’t just about productivity; it’s about cultivating beauty, relaxation, and connection. Gardens, interiorscapes, parks, and forests have long enriched our lives, providing spaces of peace, inspiration, and joy. The horticultural mindset, rather than agricultural productivity alone, is essential to solving today’s ecological challenges. This shift—from extraction to integration—reframes plants not as micro-manufacturers but as partners in crafting a world where human well-being is deeply tied to ecological health.

Today, technology must take us further—not to shield us from nature’s raw edge, but to bring it into our everyday spaces with intention and mastery. By embracing our role as designers, engineers, and architects of the world around us, we can foster environments that restore our connection to the natural world. Engineered natural spaces, where technology and horticulture intersect, allow us to shape environments that are not only functional but profoundly beautiful, inviting nature back into our lives. We have the opportunity to be “planetary gardeners,”¹⁶ actively cultivate a thriving, harmonious world for all forms of life.

So, how do we actually do this? Right now, the work of caring for ecosystems is often passive and painfully slow. Without real-time insight or real agency, ecosystem management remains on the margins—seen as a constraint on progress rather than a force that shapes it.

We need a new paradigm—one that makes environmental engineering work dynamic, high-agency, and scalable. We need an ecosystem operating system.

Plant Intelligence

The Incredible Plant

Plants are far more active, adaptive, and intelligent than they first appear.¹⁷ Though stationary, they have mastered a different kind of agency: the ability to physically and chemically manipulate their surroundings and coordinate actions with remarkable precision.¹⁸ They sense their environment in detail, respond deliberately, and influence ecosystems above and below ground.¹⁹ Because they cannot flee from threats or seek out resources elsewhere, plants have evolved an astonishing repertoire of survival strategies.²⁰ They create food from sunlight, air, water, and soil—a process that sustains nearly all life on Earth.²¹

Yet, these general abilities are only the beginning. There are hundreds of unbelievable things plants can do, many of which we’re just starting to uncover. It’d be impossible to cover them all here, but here are a few great examples: Plants can detect the sound of running water and grow their roots toward it.²² They can distinguish between kin and strangers, sharing resources preferentially with their own offspring.²³ Some, like the Boquila vine, even mimic the shape and color of surrounding plants to avoid detection by herbivores, potentially using a form of sight.²⁴ Others communicate through underground fungal networks²⁵ or release airborne signals that warn nearby plants of danger.²⁶ Touch-sensitive species like the Venus flytrap count the number of times they’re touched before snapping shut, ensuring they expend energy only on real prey.²⁷ Plants can “hear” the hum of approaching bees, and increase their nectar production to attract them. Some plants even engage in communication with pollinators using electric fields.²⁸

One of the most powerful and mysterious abilities plants possess is their capacity to produce sophisticated chemical compounds to shape their interactions with the world—deterring predators, attracting pollinators, or enlisting other organisms to help meet their needs.²⁹ Many even communicate distress to neighboring plants, warning them to prepare defenses. This adaptability is vividly demonstrated in a study by researchers Ian Baldwin and Jack Schultz, who observed a forest under siege by pests.³⁰ Individual trees began producing chemical compounds to poison the insects, and soon nearby trees joined in, cycling through various chemical defenses until they hit on an effective formula. This coordinated action halted the infestation, a vivid demonstration of plants’ ability to problem-solve and cooperate.

Plant Electrochemical Signaling

Beneath their chemical prowess lies an even more fascinating system: plants use electrical signals, traveling through vascular tissues like the phloem and xylem, to control their functions and communicate internally,³¹ much like a nervous system.³² For instance, when a plant is stressed—by dehydration, physical damage, or pests—it generates action potentials that trigger responses across its body.³³

Stefano Mancuso, a pioneer in plant electrophysiology, describes this as a kind of distributed intelligence. “Plants create scalable networks of self-maintaining, self-operating, and self-repairing units,” Mancuso explains.³⁴ Unlike animals, plants rely on decentralized systems rather than a brain, allowing them to adapt and function even when significant parts of their structure are damaged. Their signals encode not just internal states but also environmental conditions, forming a dense and informative data stream.³⁵

Through these signals, plants interact with other plants, fungi, and even animals. Evidence suggests that they have forms of memory and can adapt based on past experiences, demonstrating an ability to learn.³⁶ By studying and decoding their electrical signals, we can unlock an extraordinary layer of information about plant health and the world around them.

We believe that almost everything plants can sense can be decoded in their electrical signals.

NOTE: For further exploration, my co-founder Lee’s white paper, Plant Perception and Electrical Communication, delves deeply into these topics and is recommended for anyone interested in a more technical understanding.

From Neuroengineering to Electrophytology

Advances in technology now allow us to probe and record these signals with astonishing ease. Tools originally developed for brain-computer interfaces can be adapted to study plants and reveal the complexity of their internal communication. Recording plant signals is surprisingly straightforward compared to similar efforts in animals. A simple probe can be inserted into a plant’s stem—a highway through which many signals flow—without the need for delicate neurosurgery. Plant signals travel far more slowly than those in animal nervous systems, making them easier and less costly to record and analyze and even artificially replicate in the plant.

There’s a bit of irony here: tools developed to understand the frenetic storm of signals in our own brains may find their most widespread use not in creatures with minds but in those without them. These factors make plants an ideal subject for electrophysiological study and open new possibilities for integrating them into technological systems.

Plants, after all, need no delicate central command. As Michael Pollan states in his article The Intelligent Plant: “Brains come in handy for creatures that move around a lot; but they’re a disadvantage for ones that are rooted in place.” This insight highlights how plants’ stationary nature and decentralized systems are not limitations but strengths, making them uniquely suited for exploration and technological integration.

Modular, self-repairing, and self-sustaining, plants are a natural blueprint for designing systems that are adaptive and enduring.

The Plant Intelligence Debate

The idea of plant intelligence has sparked both fascination and controversy. Philosophers and scientists have long debated how to define intelligence, and when it comes to plants, the discourse has been especially heated. Early research, like Jagadish Chandra Bose’s pioneering studies on plant signaling, hinted at plant intelligence but faced dismissal. Even Charles Darwin—who saw something in plants that “acts like the brain” and devoted his later years to studying their behavior ³⁷ —faced significant skepticism. Later, the sensational claims in The Secret Life of Plants discredited the field for decades. Only recently, thanks to researchers like Paco Calvo, Stefano Mancuso, Gustavo Maia Souza, František Baluška, and Elizabeth Van Volkenburgh, have these ideas regained credibility, supported by rigorous methods and technologies.³⁸

Mancuso offers a simple definition: “Intelligence is the ability to solve problems.” By this standard, plants undoubtedly qualify, yet skepticism persists—often due to semantic and anthropocentric biases. In The Light Eaters, journalist Zoë Schlanger explores the emerging science of plant intelligence and the ways it challenges long-held assumptions. “The basic paradigm of botany is in a state of transition,” she writes. “We’re seeing a proliferation of competing articulations, a willingness to try anything.” This moment of reorganization invites us to rethink plants—not as passive objects but as dynamic agents with vast potential.

In the context of rapid advancements in AI, the debate over plant intelligence feels increasingly antiquated. In AI and robotics, the sense–infer–act framework³⁹ is used to describe how intelligent systems perceive their environment, process information, and respond dynamically. Plants embody this paradigm remarkably well, sensing their surroundings, making decisions, and taking actions to adapt and thrive.

Our perspective is clear: the debate over terminology should not distract from the extraordinary capabilities of plants. Whether we label it intelligence, adaptation, or something else, the focus should be on understanding what plants can do and the new possibilities they unlock.

Plants as Technology

Currently, to track weather, climate change, geological events, and ecosystem health, we deploy a growing fleet of single-purpose digital sensors—a market expected to double by 2030. While demand is rising, growth is constrained by the high costs of installation and maintenance networks. Each sensor requires its own compute, power, and transmission, often struggling in harsh outdoor conditions that degrade performance.⁴⁰

Now consider plants: living systems equipped with millions of microreceptors, sensing an extraordinary range of environmental factors. They detect ultraviolet to infrared light, infrasonic and ultrasonic vibrations, and chemical signatures (like NH₃, H₂S, NO₂, and VOCs) as well as specific pathogens in air, water, and soil. Unlike fragile electronics, plants thrive in sunlight, dirt, and water.

If plants are this capable, why not think of them as technology? They are, essentially, nature’s edge compute devices—designed to process environmental information most relevant to flourishing ecosystems. With a simple, low-cost attachment—little more than a “dongle”—we can tap into the sensory data plants are already generating. This hardware doesn’t act as a sensor itself; it’s an access point to the intelligence embedded within the plant. Just as cameras, calculators, and other devices have collapsed into the iPhone as software, we see single-purpose digital sensors being replaced by apps built on plant-generated data.

A single data stream represents a plant’s experience of its internal health and external environment.

Think of the immense amount of real-world data, grounded in localized environments, flowing through 350,000 species of plants across the face of the earth. By unlocking this information, we gain the potential to address challenges on an unprecedented scale, unleashing innovations as diverse and resilient as the plant kingdom itself.

A Terra-Optimist Future

Spaceship Earth

Technology has always been a double-edged sword—it’s as frightening as it is thrilling. We’re drawn to dystopian narratives like The Matrix and Blade Runner, which depict futures where technology alienates and overwhelms us. These stories are intriguing, but they're hardly inspiring. As Peter Thiel famously quipped, “We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters.” It’s hard to shake the sense that technology hasn’t lived up to its grand promises.

But amidst this disillusionment, there’s a deep-seated yearning for visions of the future that inspire and unite us—visions we can look forward to with genuine excitement. The prospects of colonizing Mars, having humanoid robots handle our daily chores, and experiencing fully autonomous transportation systems ignite our imaginations. These advancements are incredibly exciting, offering glimpses of a world transformed by human ingenuity. As Marc Andreessen articulates in his Techno-Optimist Manifesto, “there is no material problem—whether created by nature or by technology—that cannot be solved with more technology.”

Yet, pause for a moment to consider any positive image of the future you’ve ever envisioned or encountered. It’s invariably filled with plants. Lush greenery cascading over skyscrapers, urban gardens interwoven into cityscapes, forests reclaiming spaces once dominated by concrete—these images resonate deeply within us. They symbolize not just aesthetic beauty but a harmonious integration of technology and nature.

This is no coincidence. Our most hopeful visions of the future aren’t solely about advanced gadgets or artificial intelligence; they’re about creating a world where technology works in tandem with the natural world. It’s about leveraging our innovations to foster environments that nurture both the planet and its inhabitants. We need a future where progress doesn’t come at the expense of nature but enhances it—a future where planetary intelligence integrates our roots and guides us toward harmony.

By embracing this synergy between technology and nature, we can move beyond the fears and disappointments. We can craft a future that not only dazzles with its advancements but also replenishes the natural world and celebrates our origins—a future we can all look forward to with optimism and unity.

Solarpunk Future, Now

Across the globe, a movement known as Solarpunk is taking root, capturing imaginations with a vision of a sustainable, interconnected world that is deeply attuned to nature and community. Unlike speculative genres like cyberpunk or steampunk, Solarpunk is grounded in optimism. It depicts societies that prioritize environmental sustainability, community resilience, and social justice, creating systems that foster harmony between humanity and the natural world. The “punk” in Solarpunk embodies its countercultural edge, challenging the status quo with a hopeful yet radical perspective on the future. This is a vision that centers on what we hope to achieve—a thriving ecosystem that harnesses advanced technology, not to dominate nature but to collaborate with it.

Solarpunk’s aesthetic is vibrant and whimsical, weaving abundant greenery into futuristic urban spaces. Far from being relegated to the realm of fiction, Solarpunk’s vision of blending nature and technology is already manifesting in projects around the world at various scales. For instance, CopenHill in Copenhagen serves as a power plant with a ski slope and green rooftop that reimagines how industry and leisure coexist. New York’s High Line transforms abandoned rail lines into lush, elevated parks that reconnect urbanites with nature. In Seoul, Seoullo 7017 has re-engineered an overpass into a sprawling pedestrian sky garden, complete with over 24,000 plants, providing an oasis above the bustling city streets.

Architects and designers are also embracing the Solarpunk ethos in urban buildings. Bosco Verticale in Milan features residential towers wrapped in over 900 trees and 20,000 plants, creating a “vertical forest” that enriches air quality and biodiversity. Similarly, One Central Park in Sydney incorporates cascading gardens that act as “green lungs” for the building’s inhabitants, while the Amazon Spheres in Seattle enclose a living botanical garden where employees work surrounded by over 40,000 plants from around the world. On a more domestic scale, spaces like Hilton Carter’s plant-filled apartment and Bengt Warne’s iconic greenhouse homes⁴¹ illustrate that Solarpunk is achievable in everyday living.

These examples illustrate that Solarpunk is happening now. Whether at the city, building, or room scale, we’re seeing glimpses of how technology and nature can create environments that enhance human experience while honoring ecological integrity.

Singapore: Garden City

Perhaps the most realized expression of Solarpunk is the city-state of Singapore, a global leader in biophilic urban design. Once a small island covered in swamps and lowland rainforests, Singapore has transformed into a meticulously planned “Garden City,” where greenery is interwoven into every aspect of urban life. This transformation was largely inspired by Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, who, in the 1960s, envisioned a city in a garden. “After independence, I decided that Singapore should distinguish itself from other Third World countries by becoming a clean and green city,” he explained. “This was a key factor in attracting investments and talent.” He further emphasized, “A blighted urban jungle of concrete destroys the human spirit. We needed the greenery of nature to lift our spirits.”⁴² This vision recognized that greenery was not only an aesthetic pursuit but a vital component for creating a livable, economically competitive urban environment.

Today, Singapore’s landscape is a testament to this vision. At its heart lies Gardens by the Bay, a 250-acre expanse featuring biodomes, water management systems, and towering “Supertrees” covered in over 150,000 plants. These structures capture solar energy, manage rainwater, and house natural ventilation systems. Across the city, tree-lined streets, vertical gardens, and green rooftops reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and enhance quality of life.

The economic benefits of this approach are profound. Properties near green spaces have seen value increases of up to 20%⁴³ and tourism has flourished⁴⁴. Healthcare savings from reduced urban heat and cleaner air are estimated at SGD 3 billion annually⁴⁵, while energy savings from less air conditioning usage add another SGD 40 million per year.⁴⁶ Collectively, these initiatives have enhanced quality of life while attracting over SGD 90 billion in foreign direct investment⁴⁷, positioning Singapore as a global leader in livability and innovation.

As Veera Sekaran, an expert in ecological design and urban greening, explains:

“Singapore’s green assets—both tangible and intangible—have appreciated over the years, proving that investments in green infrastructure generate lasting value. The city’s growth is inextricably tied to the benefits of its natural systems. Understanding this value creation and the ecosystem services it provides is essential. Translational research into the language of plants will be crucial in quantifying the global impact of our green assets.”⁴⁸

The World Bank has also praised Singapore’s model, noting that “Singapore’s integration of green spaces into its urban landscape sets a global standard for sustainable development and shows how environmental stewardship can coincide with economic prosperity.”⁴⁹ As Noah Smith aptly puts it in his essay Singapore Urbanism, the city’s design feels ‘like being inside a giant, inhabited spaceship,’ offering a glimpse into how cities of the future might integrate technology, nature, and human experience.”⁵⁰

New Ambitious Projects

As Solarpunk ideals gain momentum, other regions are embracing ambitious plant-centered projects on a scale that hints at future possibilities. In Saudi Arabia, King Salman Park in Riyadh is set to be one of the world’s largest urban parks—spanning 16.6 square kilometers⁵¹, roughly four times the size of Central Park in New York City. Located in the heart of a desert with harsh climatic conditions and no natural water sources, King Salman Park represents an ambitious commitment to green urban development in one of the world’s driest regions. The park’s design incorporates advanced environmental technologies to support biodiversity, reduce urban temperatures, and create an expansive green oasis in Riyadh. By addressing the unique environmental challenges of the area, King Salman Park not only redefines possibilities for urban greening in extreme climates but also sets a bold precedent for sustainable infrastructure in arid regions worldwide.

Another revolutionary project in the region is NEOM, a planned “smart city” in Tabuk Province that aims to integrate renewable energy, urban farming, and biophilic design to create a sustainable living environment. NEOM’s design envisions an interconnected, nature-immersed city powered entirely by clean energy.

Beyond Earth, scientists and researchers are already looking at how plants can play a role in terraforming and sustaining life in extraterrestrial colonies. Lunar and Martian agriculture projects are exploring how plants can support closed-loop ecosystems, providing food, oxygen, and climate control for human habitats on the Moon or Mars. In this context, plants are not only necessary for sustaining human life; they are an integral part of engineering the environments we need to explore other worlds.

These projects are all distinct in their aims and scales, but they share a commitment to rethinking how plants and technology can shape our environment. As we move toward a Solarpunk future, projects like King Salman Park, NEOM, and even lunar agriculture illustrate that plant-centered environmental engineering is viable on Earth and beyond.

Growing Pains

While these projects reveal the incredible potential of Solarpunk-inspired design, they also bring to light the practical challenges involved. Current methods rely heavily on human labor, vast natural resources, and traditional engineering systems to maintain plant-centric environments, creating bottlenecks that can slow the pace of change and limit the scale of implementation. Sustaining massive green urban projects requires considerable investment in water, soil, and skilled labor, and as cities expand, so does the strain on these resources.

Smith captures it well: “Singapore’s lush greenery isn’t just a backdrop—it’s ‘a spectacular demonstration of wealth’ and a reflection of deliberate, high-maintenance investment in creating the world’s greenest city. This level of integration requires significant resources and meticulous planning, showcasing what is possible when a city commits to ambitious environmental goals.”

This is where the integration of plant intelligence technology can transform the equation. By enabling us to monitor and maintain ecosystems with precision, these innovations can reduce resource and labor demands while making urban greening projects more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. As Andreessen describes it, technology acts as “a lever on the world—the way to make more with less.” With continued advancements, intelligent plant systems could expand the functionality of green spaces far beyond aesthetics and cooling—enabling real-time environmental monitoring, air purification, pest management, and even interactive gardens that respond dynamically to human presence.

These challenges present an opportunity for innovation. If we can find ways to reduce resource demands, automate maintenance, and leverage the resilience of plants as technology, we can open the door to a new era of sustainable urban design on a vast scale. The Solarpunk aesthetic, once confined to fiction, has the potential to reshape our cities, improve our health, and create resilient communities worldwide.

Intelligent Landscapes

Unlocking Plant Intelligence

Knowledge is power. Access to new forms of data and communication has always catalyzed change, marking the start of new economic eras. Imagine witnessing the first microscope revealing the invisible, printing presses mass-producing ideas, and the first websites linking distant people and ideas in real-time—each breakthrough in seeing or communicating opened new possibilities. These shifts paved the way for agriculture, microbiology, the industrial revolution, and the information age, each unlocking new insights that transformed how we live, work, and understand the world in ways previously unimaginable.

New ways of seeing the world unlock new possibilities. Where will the ability to decode the electrical language of plants, an entirely different biological kingdom, lead us? As my co-founder Lee says, it’s akin to discovering an unseen dimension or unlocking a new language—spoken by an alien life form that has quietly lived beside us, influencing our world all along. By tapping into the vast and uncharted information networks of plants, we’re creating a path that connects our technologies with natural systems— opening new realms of potential and transformative power.

The Corpus of Plant Data

We are at an inflection point in AI, where models have become astonishingly powerful yet are constrained by a limited corpus of internet-based data.

“We’re used to talking about ‘big data,’ but the real breakthroughs in the next decade of AI will come from better data—richer, more diverse, and more contextual—so that our systems can truly understand the world.”
— Fei-Fei Li⁵²

“The next breakthroughs in AI will come from models that seamlessly integrate diverse modalities of data, capturing the full spectrum of information available in the world.”
— Ilya Sutskever

“AI’s impact on society will depend on the values we encode into it and the data it learns from. It’s critical to integrate data that reflects the complexity and richness of the real world.”
— Sam Altman

“AI will be the best or worst thing ever for humanity… AI should work for us to solve the biggest challenges we face, from sustainable energy to environmental stewardship.”
— Elon Musk

The challenge is clear: if artificial intelligence is to evolve, it must be fed with rich, multi-modal data sources that expand its understanding and align its goals with the needs of a living, dynamic world.

This is where plant data transforms the narrative. The information flowing through plant bodies represents a vast, untapped resource—offering not just a glimpse but an entirely new lens to perceive the world. It’s not merely about seeing through plants’ eyes; it’s about tasting, smelling, and responding to the world as plants do. Through plants we get insights into the health of ecosystems, the flow of nutrients, and even the rhythms of life itself.

We see the data flowing through plant bodies as the single largest untapped resource on the planet. At the heart of our work is an ambition to bring plant intelligence into the digital economy.

By integrating this corpus into our technological systems, we have the opportunity to redefine AI not just as a tool for prediction or automation, but as a partner in understanding and stewarding the living world.

The Electric Plant Operating System

Through plant intelligence, we’re not simply observing the natural world; we’re establishing a foundation for collaborative interaction with the ecosystems we inhabit. Key areas of advancement include:

• Intelligent Ecosystem Management: AI-driven platforms that interpret plant signals to adapt and manage entire ecosystems in real time, ensuring resilience and ecological balance.

• Plants as a Sensor Network: Leveraging plants as a distributed network of environmental, climate, and geological sensors, providing continuous, localized data and insights.

• Selective and Genetic Plant Modification: Selecting and enhancing plant abilities to monitor and respond to environmental changes, amplifying their role as sensors and adaptive agents

• Cyborg Plants: The fusion of biological and digital systems, enabling plants to function as real-time actuators, actively performing directed ecological or technological tasks.

Just as the microscope opened new worlds in microbiology, our technology offers a window into plant intelligence, with the potential to completely revolutionize the way we interact with the natural world. As designers like Harpreet Sareen suggest, biodesign transforms plants from passive organisms into active participants, opening a window into a future where humans and nature collaborate seamlessly. By building a knowledge base of plant intelligence, we can deepen our understanding and create pathways to dynamically responsive, resilient environments.⁵³ This new lens forms the foundation for a true symbiosis between human activity and nature, fostering resilience and ecological health for the living systems that support all life on Earth.

Just Imagine

Imagine a world where your houseplants do more than brighten rooms—they become hi-tech companions, sending you helpful alerts to keep your home healthy and safe. They tell you when they need water, warn you about lead in your family’s drinking water, and monitor air quality to ensure a comfortable environment. Imagine a plant that adjusts your ventilation systems or releases soothing scents in response to your presence, blending technology and nature into your everyday life.

Picture botanical gardens and parks that respond to visitors in real-time, allowing people to see plants react to their touch or share stories of their species’ history and ecological role. Augmented reality lets plants reveal their unseen functions, creating immersive learning spaces that deepen our connection with nature.

Envision cityscapes where tree-lined streets and vertical forests self-maintain and work together as living systems, reporting their health, detecting air pollution, and identifying methane or sewage leaks. These thriving ecosystems provide block-by-block insights into environmental health while regulating temperature, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity. Imagine urban planners designing cities around these rich plant networks, creating environments that are as functional as they are beautiful—lush, green canopies transforming dense neighborhoods with natural beauty and resilience.

Picture orchards and vineyards where plants share real-time data on stress levels, helping farmers fine-tune growing conditions to produce healthier crops. Imagine plants alerting insurers to cold snaps or smoke exposure, enabling precise and rapid damage payouts. With smart crops that optimize their growth and communicate yields, we could create food systems that are more secure, efficient, and resilient.

Imagine entire forests functioning as sensor networks, detecting early signs of wildfire smoke, tracking pollen blooms, monitoring animal migrations, and providing real-time insights into subterranean carbon sequestration. Imagine plants saving thousands of lives by sensing subtle geological shifts, delivering early warnings for earthquakes and landslides, while providing unprecedented data to enhance climate models, support global conservation efforts, and safeguard biodiversity in a rapidly changing world.

Imagine trees along power lines that monitor themselves, adjusting their growth to prevent risks, and signaling arborists if they’re stressed or need care, saving millions of dollars and critical hours of downed utility lines.

Imagine a ten-thousand-year-old mother tree in a conservation area, equipped to monitor local wildlife activity, protecting endangered species by reporting on movement and nesting patterns. Picture coastal ecosystems where wetland plants and kelp beds monitor water flow, quality, and microbe biodiversity, reducing flood risks, filtering pollutants, and preserving vital habitats for global resilience.

Imagine plants detecting airborne threats like carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde, and genetic breakthroughs enabling them to identify viruses like influenza before they spread—providing early warnings that support public health responses with critical, timely insights. Picture security lines where travelers walk through indoor jungles of plants engineered to detect substances of concern, creating safer spaces while blending technology and nature seamlessly.

This isn’t just a vision—it’s a call to action. We can build this. Plant intelligence invites us to collaborate with nature, crafting a thriving planet for generations to come. This is the resilient, flourishing world we will create together.

Beyond Eden

Big visions can be inspiring, but also dangerous or frivolous. History is filled with grand dreams that falter—utopias that crumble, bold proclamations that fail to materialize. Tech entrepreneurship is no exception; every founder claims to democratize, transform, or save something. Yet for all the pitfalls of dreaming big, there’s still a line worth walking. If I didn’t believe in the power of well-placed ambition, I wouldn’t be writing this essay, sharing this vision, or starting this company.

There’s a parable GK Chesterton tells that I love. It’s the story of two adventurers. One becomes a giant, striding across the world, only to find that everything feels smaller, simpler, and more distant. The other shrinks down, discovering that their own backyard has become an endless frontier of wonder. “The truth is that exploration and enlargement make the world smaller,” Chesterton wrote. “It is only the microscope that makes it larger.” This paradox struck me deeply. It’s easy to be seduced by big ideas, but the real adventure lies in looking closer, right under our noses.

We’re starting small. Our focus is on helping people—from everyday plant owners to professional plantscapers—care for plants more effectively and confidently by giving them real-time insights. It’s not flashy or world-changing on its own, but it’s a seed planted with a much bigger vision. From homes to gardens, farms to forests, and entire ecosystems, the intelligence we’re uncovering can scale upward, creating a foundation for a new way of collaborating with nature.

For me, this journey began with curiosity, following a persistent invitation to consider that plants had something more to say. That tug has grown into a call to action, but also into a question: What does it mean to truly listen? To look deeper, rather than farther? To discover not just new possibilities, but possibilities that are ancient, enduring, and already around us?

We’re part of a long lineage of people who have dreamed of integrating nature, technology, and human flourishing. Before Mancuso, Bose, and even Darwin, great thinkers envisioned the harmony of humanity and the natural world.

Nearly a millennium ago, Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century abbess and mystic, articulated a vision of life deeply rooted in connection and vitality. She called it viriditas—the greening force that animates all creation, a divine energy that brings growth, renewal, and flourishing. For Hildegard, this vitality was not a passive phenomenon but a dynamic interplay between nature and humanity. Humans, she believed, were vital contributors to this creative force, entrusted with nurturing and amplifying it through their actions. By aligning their work with the rhythms of the earth, people could sustain and deepen the viriditas of creation, ensuring its growth and balance.

There’s an even more ancient story that begins in a garden and ends in a garden city. In the final pages of the Bible, a Jewish exile has a vision: a new world, a radiant metropolis where human structures and wild nature are woven together. At its center stands the Tree of Life, its leaves for the healing of all people. This isn’t a nostalgic return to Eden; it’s the fulfillment of Eden’s potential—a flourishing creation on a grander scale. This vision has been around for a very long time.

Plant intelligence invites us to collaborate with nature, crafting a thriving planet for generations to come. This is the world we’re ready to create—a resilient, flourishing future where human ingenuity and the natural intelligence of plants work together to restore balance and unlock what’s possible.

Frankly, we don’t yet know how far plant intelligence will take us. Based on what’s already proven and working, the possibilities are thrilling. Beyond that, we’ll have to see. If even a fraction of what this emerging field suspects and hopes turns out to be true, the implications will be nothing short of radical. Every week, we uncover new breakthroughs or hear from researchers exploring ideas we’d never have imagined. Innovators from many fields are finding ways to leverage plant intelligence, and it’s thrilling to be part of bringing this promise to life.

This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep exploring, learning, and building alongside nature—and alongside people who love and work with plants. We’re invited to play a part in a dynamic, unfolding story. This is a call to action, and we’re right in the middle of it. We’ll be sharing this journey, and we’d love for you to join us in building something that bridges science, design, and humanity. Together, we can create a future where nature and technology drive a new chapter in human flourishing.

---

---

Notes

Big thanks to Lee, Tommy, Brett, Krista, Nadia, Blaine, Katie, Bryan, and Jen for reading drafts of this and providing feedback!

1. Noel Castree, Nature is Dead! Long Live Nature!, University of Wollongong, 2004. Castree discusses the blending of human and natural systems and argues for a postnatural perspective, challenging traditional views of an untouched nature. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23539388_Nature_is_Dead_Long_Live_Nature

2. Anthropocene Epoch and Human Impact: Studies indicate that 97% of Earth’s land is impacted by human activity, leading to the concept of the Anthropocene—a new epoch recognizing human-driven global environmental change. For detailed insights, see W.A. Dull, “Anthropogenic Landscape Transformation: Global Impacts,” Nature Sustainability 3, no. 8 (2020): 674-685; and E.V. Ellis et al., “Is the Anthropocene Real?,” Science 351, no. 6269 (2016): 137-139.

3. William Cronon, Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature (New York: W.W. Norton, 1995), 69-98; Emma Marris, Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World (New York: Bloomsbury, 2011), 12-45. Both works critique the environmental movement’s focus on an idealized, untouched nature, advocating instead for conservation that integrates human impact.

4. Tamarisk Removal & Willow Flycatcher (Southwestern U.S.): An effort to remove invasive tamarisk trees reduced nesting habitats critical for the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and almost pushed it to extinction. See: Sogge, Mark K., and Peter J. D. Randel. “Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Recovery Plan.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2002. https://academic.oup.com/condor/article/113/2/255/5152705

5. Spartina Grass Removal (San Francisco Bay): Removing hybrid Spartina grass aimed to restore native mudflats but deprived the endangered California Ridgway’s Rail of necessary nesting grounds. See: Endangered species management and ecosystem restoration: Finding the common ground. Ecology and Society, 19(1), 35, by Casazza, M. L., et al. (2014).

6. Non-native Goat Eradication (Isabela Island, Galápagos): Eliminating goats altered grazing patterns, causing certain plants to overgrow, leading to new disruptions in the ecosystem’s balance. See: Galápagos Conservancy. “Project Isabela.” accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.galapagos.org/conservation/project-isabela/

7. Fire Suppression (North American Forests): Policies designed to prevent fires near human settlements disrupted essential natural fire cycles, leading to more severe and uncontrollable wildfires. See: National Interagency Fire Center. “History of Fire Suppression and Its Effects on Forest Ecosystems.” Fire Effects Information System. https://www.nifc.gov

8. Great Green Wall (China): Large-scale reforestation with non-native species increased soil degradation and failed to halt desertification as intended. See: Zhang, Yingying. “China’s Great Green Wall: Successes and Challenges.” China Daily, accessed October 25, 2024. https://www.chinadaily.com

9. Sulfur Dioxide Emissions (Container Ships): Reducing sulfur dioxide emissions improved air quality but allowed more solar radiation to heat the oceans, contributing to global warming. See: American Geophysical Union. “Sulfur Emissions and Ocean Temperature.” EOS Earth & Space Science News, access October 25, 2024. https://eos.org

10. Higgs et al. 2014, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

11. Wolverton, B. C., Johnson, A., & Bounds, K. (1989). Interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement. Final Report. NASA John C. Stennis Space Center. Explains how common houseplants can remove pollutants and improve indoor air quality, supporting the claim about plants' ability to absorb pollutants and release oxygen.

12. Bringslimark, T., Hartig, T., & Patil, G. G. (2009). “The psychological benefits of indoor plants: A critical review of the experimental literature.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(4), 422–433. Provides a broad review linking indoor plants with psychological well-being, reduced anxiety, and stress.

13. Lee, M. S., Lee, J., Park, B. J., & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). “Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: A randomized crossover study.” Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 34(21). Demonstrates how caring for indoor plants can reduce blood pressure and stress indicators.

14. Larsen, L., Adams, J., Deal, B., Kweon, B. S., & Tyler, E. (1998). “Plants in the workplace: The effects of plant density on productivity, attitudes, and perceptions.” Environment and Behavior, 30(3), 261–281. Examines how plants in workspaces improve productivity, mood, and overall perceptions.

15. Jason Crawford’s The Surrender of the Gods explores the idea that humanity’s relationship with nature has always involved mastery and mediation through technology, challenging romanticized notions of harmony. He emphasizes that nature, inherently indifferent to human well-being, becomes awe-inspiring and accessible only through intentional human intervention and control. See: https://blog.rootsofprogress.org/thm-ch2-the-surrender-of-the-gods-part-2

16. The term “Planetary Gardener” was coined by French botanist Gilles Clément, who envisions Earth as an interconnected garden requiring human care and stewardship. Clément advocates for a balance between guiding natural processes and respecting their fragility, emphasizing humanity’s role as caretakers rather than dominators of the planet.

17. Mancuso, Stefano. “Brilliant Green: The Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence.”

18. Pollan, Michael. “The Intelligent Plant.” The New Yorker, 2013

19. Simard, Suzanne. “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.”

20. Trewavas, Anthony. “Aspects of Plant Intelligence.” Annals of Botany, 2005.

21. Taiz, Lincoln, and Zeiger, Eduardo. “Plant Physiology.” 5th Edition, Sinauer Associates, 2010.

22. Gagliano, Monica, et al. “Tuned in: plant roots use sound to locate water.” Oecologia, 2017.

23. Dudley, Susan A., et al. “Kin Recognition in Plants: A Study of Resource Allocation.”

24. Gianoli, Ernesto. “Phenotypic Plasticity in Plants: The Case of Boquila trifoliolata.”

25. Simard, Suzanne, et al. “The Wood-Wide Web: Mycorrhizal Networks and Kin Recognition in Forests.”

26. Karban, Richard. “Plant Communication: Volatile Organic Compounds and Defense Signaling.”

27. Volkov, Alexander. “Electrical Signals in Plants: Mechanisms and Functions.”

28. Clarke, Dominic. “Detection and Learning of Floral Electric Fields by Bumblebees."

29. Heil, Martin. “Induced Systemic Resistance in Plants: The Role of Neighboring Signal Exchange.”

30. Baldwin, Ian T., Schultz, Jack C. “Chemical Defense in Plants: Induced Responses to Herbivory.”

31. Volkov, A. G., Collins, D. J., & Mwesigwa, J. “Plant electrophysiology: pentachlorophenol induces fast action potentials in soybean.” Plant Science 153 (2000): 185–190; Plant Electrophysiology: Signaling and Responses. (Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012).

32. Fromm, J., Hajirezaei, M., & Wilke, I. “The Biochemical Response of Electrical Signaling in the Reproductive System of Hibiscus Plants.” Plant Physiology 109 (1995): 375–384.

33. Davies, E. “Action potentials as multifunctional signals in plants: a unifying hypothesis to explain apparently disparate wound responses.” Plant, Cell & Environment 10 (1987): 623–631.

34. Baluška, F., Mancuso, S., & Volkmann, D., eds. Communication in Plants: Neuronal Aspects of Plant Life. (Springer, 2006).While this volume covers many aspects of plant signaling, Mancuso’s contributions therein discuss plant electrophysiology and distributed intelligence.

35. Volkov, A. G. & Shtessel, Y. B. “Electrical signal propagation within and between tomato plants.” Bioelectrochemistry 124 (2018): 195–205.

36. Thomas, M. A. & Cooper, R. L. “Building bridges: mycelium–mediated plant–plant electrophysiological communication.” Plant Signaling & Behavior 17 (2022): 2129291;

37. Charles Darwin devoted much of his later career to studying plant behavior, publishing The Power of Movement in Plants in 1880. In this work, he described the tip of a plant’s root as something that “acts like the brain of one of the lower animals,” highlighting plants’ ability to sense and respond to their environment. Despite the rigor of his experiments, Darwin’s ideas about plant intelligence were met with skepticism during his time.

38. The Society for Plant Neurobiology was renamed the Society for Plant Signaling and Behavior after internal debates and external criticism. Founders such as Stefano Mancuso, František Baluška, Elizabeth Van Volkenburgh, and Eric Brenner were central figures. The group aimed to push the idea that plants possess intelligence akin to information processing and decision-making.

39. The “sense, infer, act” framework is foundational in artificial intelligence and robotics, describing how systems process information to interact with their environment. For an overview, see Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig’s Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, which discusses the role of perception, reasoning, and action in intelligent systems. Plants exhibit similar processes, sensing environmental conditions, adapting behaviors, and responding dynamically to external stimuli.

40. The global environmental sensor market is projected to grow from $1.8 billion in 2023 to $3.0 billion by 2028, reflecting increasing demand for air quality monitoring, water pollution detection, and climate change tracking. “Maintaining environmental sensors in remote or harsh environments can be a difficult task… These factors make it hard to collect accurate data”” Source: Environmental Sensor Market Size & Share Report (2023–2028)

41. Bengt Warne, a Swedish architect, pioneered the concept of greenhouse homes in the 1970s as a way to harmonize living spaces with nature. His designs integrated homes within greenhouses, creating self-sustaining environments that use natural sunlight for heating, support food cultivation, and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Warne’s work represents an early realization of Solarpunk ideals, emphasizing sustainable design and a closer connection to the natural world. For more on the modern evolution of his ideas, see https://www.ubm-development.com/magazin/en/atri-naturvillan/

42. Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965–2000, HarperCollins Publishers, 2000.

43. Research conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS) indicates that proximity to parks and green spaces can increase residential property prices by up to 20%. This real estate premium reflects the desirability of green environments in urban settings. Source: NUS Department of Real Estate.

44. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, tourism receipts reached SGD 27.7 billion in 2019, with green attractions like Gardens by the Bay playing a significant role in attracting over 19 million visitors that year. Source: Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Sector Performance Q4 2019.

45. Studies from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy estimate that enhanced access to green spaces leads to better health outcomes, potentially saving up to SGD 3 billion annually in healthcare costs related to chronic diseases and mental health issues. Source: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

46. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) reports that urban greenery helps reduce ambient temperatures, leading to energy savings of approximately SGD 40 million per year due to decreased reliance on air conditioning. Source: BCA Green Building Masterplan.

47. Reports from the Economic Development Board (EDB) link Singapore’s Garden City image to foreign direct investment inflows exceeding SGD 90 billion, as the high quality of life attracts global businesses and talent. Source: Singapore Economic Development Board Annual Report.

48. Kishore Mahbubani, Can Singapore Survive?, Straits Times Press, 2015.

49. World Bank, Inclusive Green Growth: The Pathway to Sustainable Development, 2012.

50. Noah Smith, Singapore Urbanism, November 12, 2023. In his essay, Smith also highlights the high-maintenance costs of Singapore’s lush greenery, calling it a “spectacular demonstration of wealth.” Despite these challenges, Singapore’s leadership in “skyrise greenery” and integration of foliage into its urban fabric exemplify its commitment to blending environmental stewardship with economic development. Available at Noahpinion: Singapore Urbanism

51. “King Salman Park to be world’s largest city park in Riyadh,” Arab News, accessed November 4, 2024, https://www.arabnews.com/node/2569481/saudi-arabia.

52. The quote comes from her remarks during the Stanford HAI Conference: The Future of AI, October 2020. Fei-Fei Li is the co-director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute and a professor of computer science at Stanford University. Widely regarded as the “Godmother of AI,” she has been a leading voice in advancing artificial intelligence research, particularly in areas like visual and spatial intelligence. Fei-Fei co-founded World Labs, a research initiative focused on spatial intelligence, emphasizing how understanding the physical world is as foundational to AI as language. Her work highlights the critical need to broaden AI’s data inputs, paving the way for new applications that align with human and environmental needs.

53. Harpreet Sareen, an innovator in biodesign, has explored the concept of cyborg plants extensively in his work. His article What Biodesign Means to Me and research on “Cyborg Botany: Augmented plants as sensors, displays, and actuators” illustrate how bioengineered plants can serve as active participants in ecosystems. For instance, Sareen envisions plants that change color to signal air or water quality, guide navigation, or even act as environmental guardians by detecting and neutralizing pollutants. These ideas demonstrate the potential of cyborg plants to blend biological and digital systems, expanding their role from passive organisms to active agents in ecological and technological frameworks.