Future Islands
On the site of the former ConocoPhillips Ekofisk oil field sits a cluster of built islands, co created by humans, AI,
machines, and biological organisms. Inspired by the diversity of the former Galapagos, humans and AI first used simulations and computer modelling to simulate and predict near-future environments, then codesigned new
species and ecosystems that could thrive in those conditions. They formed hybrid organisms adapted to heat from
more southern latitudes, combined with creatures adapted to the lower light conditions of the North Sea. Existing
species were genetically altered to optimise their adaptability to extreme conditions, the warming climate, and changing habitat; as the North Sea became an estuary. Over the years, the species were tweaked and adjusted to
maintain a balance with rapidly changing climate variables. Many trials were run; not every species was successful.
Natural selection’s rate of evolution was successfully on pace with prior eras, but with rapid changes to the environment, evolution could not keep up unless it merged with advances in science and technology. At first, humans had developed these technologies for their bodies, to extend their lives and enhance their health and well-being, but soon realised that their health and wellbeing was entangled with both local and planetary ecosystems.
Natural selection’s rate of evolution was successfully on pace with prior eras, but with rapid changes to the environment, evolution could not keep up unless it merged with advances in science and technology. At first, humans had developed these technologies for their bodies, to extend their lives and enhance their health and well-being, but soon realised that their health and wellbeing was entangled with both local and planetary ecosystems.
Muohta Bird
A hybrid of the “Greater Flamingo”
{Phoenicopterus roseus) and Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
This was a natural speciation through the interbreeding of the flamingos who were increasingly moving northward due to warmer environments. The new species feeds on the brown shrimp which inhabit the upper parts of the island.
Parrot Cod
Hybrid of the North Atlantic Cod fish (Gadus morhua) and the Mediterranean parrot fish (Sparisoma cretense)
North Atlantic Cod were previously under threat due to their main source of food (sand eels) dying off. Parrot Cod were adapted to eat the Lophelia corals that formed the base of the islands, creating sand that helps to filter the water.
Deep sea coral was commonly seen growing and forming large mounds on the base of oil rig jackets since the early days of oil production.Heat Tolerant Lophelia Pertusa
Through assisted evolution, they were trained to tolerate the increasing heat. Able to grow closer to the surface, they hardened around the rig, helping to solidify its structure.
Northern Mangrove Tree
Northern Mangrove Tree (Rhizophora mangle 2.0) was developed for lower light levels, with enhanced photosynthesis from improvements made to RuBisCo. Through their quick seed spreading and ability to fix sediment, they helped to expand the topsides of platforms into larger islands creating habitats for bird colonies, and creating nurseries for shrimp and fish in their sheltering root systems.
Hylinoros Balthicantha
Foramanifera evolved as single celled marine organisms that sequester carbon from the atmosphere, biomineralising it into their calcium carbonate shells. These species were bioengineered to use microplastic particles in place of dissolved calcium carbonate. This addressed both the issue of ocean acidification, which was dissolving the material needed for their shells, as well as sequestering the microplastics in a deposit layer of sediment.
