Svalbard is a remote Norwegian archipelago, lying approximately midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.  It is home to The Global Seed Vault—sometimes referred to as the ‘Doomsday Vault’—which houses seed samples from all over the world that can be preserved for centuries and can be used as an emergency supply in the event of large scale natural or human-made disaster.

Built deep into an Arctic mountain, it is a feat of imagination, innovation, and engineering, preserving our past while safeguarding future generations.  It currently holds over 1 million seed samples and represents the world’s largest collection of crop diversity.  Owned by Norway’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Global Crop Diversity Trust provides continuing support for the operations of the Seed Vault, while each country or institution retains ownership and access rights to any deposits made.

The Vault burrows over 140 metres into frozen rock, where a naturally permanent temperature of minus 18°C ensures the safety of its contents in case the electricity supply ever fails.  A few years ago, in the wake of record-high temperatures, the entrance to the vault was breached by melting permafrost.  Major repairs had to be made in 2018 to prevent any further damage.  The damage to the vault was a direct result of climate change.