Seed vault officially opened

On 26 February the new seed vault or “Doomsday Vault” as it is often called by the press was officially opened. Located near Longyearbyen, it is supposed to be able to survive global catastrophes including nuclear wars, direct missile attacks and extreme climate change. The purpose is to store seeds of agricultural plants to preserve their diversity for future generations in times of massive loss of biodiversity that we currently experience. The seed vault is Spitsbergen’s biggest media issue since the Italia-catastrophe in 1928.

© both photos: Mari Tefre/Global Crop Diversity.

For more information, see: Global Crop Diversity Trust