An international group of scientists proposes creating a “Doomsday Vault” on the moon to store seeds and biological samples from crucial species. The moon’s stable, cold environment offers ideal conditions for preserving these samples without power. The initiative aims to safeguard biodiversity against environmental catastrophes on Earth and potentially terraform other planets if needed. The proposal faces challenges including construction, transportation, radiation protection, and governance.
5 Major Key Points:
- Moon’s Ideal Conditions: The moon’s lack of atmosphere and extremely low temperatures make it a suitable location for storing biological samples.
- Inspiration from Svalbard: The idea builds on the concept of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault but seeks a more secure location due to risks like flooding on Earth.
- Preservation of Species: The vault would store not only seeds but also cryopreserved animal cells, potentially aiding in species restoration.
- Environmental Focus: The proposal emphasizes preserving species critical to environmental stability, including pollinators and key ecosystems.
- Challenges Ahead: Issues to address include building the facility, transporting samples, protecting against radiation, and establishing governance.
