Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Scientists have unveiled an alternative food source, seaweed, with the potential to mitigate mass starvation following a catastrophic nuclear war. The study was published in journal Earth's Future on January 9, 2024.
In the worst-case scenario of a nuclear exchange between major nuclear powers like the U.S. and Russia, the resulting nuclear winter could lead to a drastic reduction in surface temperatures and a 90% decline in global calorie production.
Researchers propose the cultivation of vast arrays of kelp on ropes in the Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern seaboard, which could be harvested within nine to 14 months after a nuclear war, providing food for up to 1.2 billion people.
Seaweed farms, at their maximum capacity, have the potential to replace 15% of current human food consumption, offering a crucial alternative food source in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe.
The seaweed farms not only address food shortages but also contribute significantly to biofuel production (50% of current levels) and animal feed (10% of current consumption).
The study underscores the urgency of exploring alternative food sources, with over 2 billion people at risk of starvation after a moderate India-Pakistan nuclear war and 5 billion people after a U.S.-Russia nuclear war.
In contrast to the devastating effects on land-based agriculture during a nuclear winter, the study emphasizes the resilience of seaweed farms in tropical oceans, providing a sustainable solution in a time of global crisis.
Seaweed doesn't just offer a solution for nuclear war scenarios; it could also serve as a lifeline in the face of other disruptions to global food systems, such as asteroid impacts or massive volcanic eruptions, highlighting its potential as a versatile food resource.