Seed Bank Is, By Definition, Very Cool

Millions Of Seeds To Be Stored In Frozen Bit Of Norway, In Case Of Environmental Catastrophe

(AP)  Refrigeration units on Friday begin cooling a new doomsday vault dug into an already frigid Arctic mountainside to protect the world's seeds in case of a global catastrophe.

Norway blasted the Svalbard Global Seed Vault deep into the permafrost of a remote Arctic archipelago to protect as many as 4.5 million of the world's agricultural seeds from climate change, plant epidemics, natural disasters or war. It is due to open Feb. 26.

The Svalbard Archipelago, 300 miles north of the mainland, was selected because of its remote location far from many threats, as well as for its cold climate and permafrost.

"It's very satisfying to see the vault evolve from a bold concept to an impressive facility that has everything we need to protect crop biodiversity," said Norway's Agriculture Minister Terje Riis-Johansen.

Norway first proposed building what it called a "Noah's Ark" for the world's seeds in June 2005, and started construction a year later, blasting a nearly 400-foot tunnel into a frozen mountain and placing the vault for foil-wrapped seeds deep inside. Each sample holds about 500 seeds.

Over the next two months, powerful cooling units will bring its temperature down to the target of about zero degrees from the current 23 degrees.

"The seed vault is the perfect place for keeping seeds safe for centuries," said Cary Fowler, Executive Director of the Rome-based Global Crop Diversity Trust, a project partner. "At these temperatures, seeds for important crops like wheat, barley and peas can last for up to 1,000 years."

According to the project, there are already about 1,400 seed banks, mostly run by countries for their own seeds, but these could be affected by economic problems, wars, political unrest or natural disasters. The project Web site says the national seed bank of the Philippines was wiped out last year by a typhoon and banks in Iraq and Afghanistan have been destroyed by war.

The Svalbard vault is intended as a final backup for all other seed banks.

"The vast collection is intended as a hedge against disaster so that food production can be restarted anywhere on the planet should it be threatened by a regional or global catastrophe," a news release said.

While Norway will own the vault, countries sending seeds will own the material they deposit - much like a bank safe deposit box.

"We believe the design of the facility will ensure that the seeds will stay well-preserved even if such forces as global warming raise temperatures," said project manager Magnus Bredeli Tveiten of the Norwegian government's Directorate of Public Construction.

Engineers started cooling down the concrete vault with temporary 30 kilowatt refrigeration systems brought in from the mainland. When the target temperatures are reached, a smaller cooling system, as well as the permafrost of the mountain, will maintain the zero-degree temperature.

[random_radar]

Although I am not in favor of government programs, I have to admit this is a far sighted effort. I have a feeling that it may turn out to be important.

We all ought to give some thought to disaster preparedness. Plan for the best, but prepare for the worst and you will always be in good shape.

[peaceprophet]

HOPE FOR AMERICA: PRESIDENT RON PAUL

-- No more meddling in other country''s political affairs
-- No more aggressive military actions overseas
-- No more torture prisons
-- No more pseudo-wars like the "War on Drugs"
-- No more IRS and unconstitutional income taxes
-- No more Federal Reserve (the group of private banks which owns our government)
-- No more erosion of Social Security to pay for militarization
-- No more U.N. (one world government) participation
-- No more NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO or GATT
-- No more North American Union
-- No more federal gun control laws
-- No more illegal aliens pouring-in over our country''s borders
-- No more illegal aliens allowed to roam freely in our streets
-- No more national ID cards (Real ID Act)
-- No more government invasion of your privacy
-- No more federal Laws which are not authorized by The Constitution
-- No more federal erosion of State sovereignty
-- No more unlimited federal government

They don''t call him "Dr. No" for no reason. The Doctor is in! Join us in this 21st Century political revolution at ronpaul2008.com

"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men"
- Samual Adams

"Those who expect to reap the blessing of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine

"Ron Paul doesn''t represent your Father''s school of political thought. He represents your Founding Fathers."
- Me

[tngreen]

Given the threat to our food safety posed by genetically modified crops, this program is very reassuring. Save this article to share with the next person who wants to tell you how America is, among all of the other superlatives, the most technologically forward-thinking and innovative nation in the world. Phooey.