Ones and Tooze The Doomsday Seed Vault
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Aug 15, 2025 Discover the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a crucial safeguard against potential global food crises, housing 1.3 million seeds. Explore the role of seed banks in preserving genetic diversity and protecting food security. Transitioning to Alaska, delve into its economic landscape shaped by oil and resource extraction, and examine the complexities of wealth distribution through the state's sovereign wealth fund. The conversation also touches on the legacy of indigenous influences in resource ownership and the societal challenges faced by its diverse populations.
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Seed Banks Are Cheap Insurance
- Seed banks preserve genetic diversity as low-cost insurance against disasters and long-term threats like climate change.
- Adam Tooze argues the global network is tiny in budget but crucial for future crop resilience.
Vavilov And The Leningrad Sacrifice
- Nikolai Vavilov collected hundreds of thousands of seed samples and built a huge Soviet agronomy project.
- During the Leningrad siege scientists refused to eat the seeds and many died preserving the collection for posterity.
Svalbard Is A Safe-Deposit For Seeds
- The Svalbard Global Seed Vault functions as a safe-deposit backup where depositors retain ownership and sovereignty.
- Tooze highlights its disaster-proof design in permafrost to minimize maintenance needs.