The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located in the Norwegian Svalbard Islands, is a facility that stores all plant seeds on the planet in preparation for the days of destruction such as climate change and nuclear war. However, on February 25, 2020 (local time), 60,000 new seeds have been added to the Svalbard International Seed Repository, including corn from the Cherokee descended from generation to generation, and wild plant seeds donated by Prince Charles of England.
Seed samples are donated by organizations and civic groups around the world at the Svalbard International Seed Repository, with growing concerns about species loss due to climate change and human activities. Storing seeds in warehouses built on permafrost prevents the extinction of wild plant and crop species, and gives them the opportunity to re-grow from seed samples if extinctions occur in the area.
The Svalbard International Seed Repository announced on February 25 that more than 60,000 seeds were donated by more than 35 national organizations and civic groups around the world. There are hundreds of donated seeds, and cultivated crops such as general major crops, various vegetables, and medicinal herbs include wild plants that are not major products. With this donation, the number of seeds stored in the Svalbard International Seed Repository has exceeded 1 million.
Native American Cherokees donated 9 seeds from their ancestors to the Svalbard International Seed Repository. Eight seeds include Corn Seeds (Cherokee White Eagle Corn), Beans (Cherokee Long Greasy Beans), and Pumpkin (Cherokee Candy Roaster Squash), which are used in tribal sacred rituals. With this donation, the Cherokee became the first Native American tribe to donate seeds.
In addition, Prince Charles of England, well known for taking the lead in environmental protection, donated 27 seeds from his sister’s grassland. Prince Charles said that before it’s too late, steps must be taken to preserve diversity.
This donation is said to be the largest donation since the establishment of the Svalbard International Seed Storage in 2008. Experts say the increasing rate at which climate change and biodiversity are compromised is increasing the urgency of efforts to store endangered food crops. This large-scale seed donation is the global impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on food production. He pointed out that this is an indication of concern. Related information can be found here .