Thursday, March 6, 2008

Seeding the future



LONGYEARBYEN, — With plant species disappearing at an alarming rate, scientists and governments are creating a global network of plant banks to store seeds and sprouts, precious genetic resources that may be needed for man to adapt the world’s food supply to climate change.

So begins this NY times article on an international effort to consolidate and preserve much of the dwindling archives of plant biodiversity on the planet. Part James Bond and part ultra-reality, this "vault" is constructed 500 feet underground in arctic regions in a forward- thinking (but still overdue) hedge to outflank climate change.

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