In an effort to prevent starvation and protect the world’s food supply, Cary Fowler and Geoffrey Hawtin came up with the idea of a global seed vault built into the side of an Arctic mountain. This vault, known as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, opened in 2008 on the Norwegian island of Svalbard and now holds 1.25 million seed samples from nearly every country. The purpose of this vault is to provide genetic protection for over 6,000 varieties of crops and culturally important plants. Fowler and Hawtin were recently named the 2024 World Food Prize laureates for their innovative work in creating this backup seed bank.
The announcement was made at the State Department in Washington, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the men for their critical role in preserving crop diversity. The annual World Food Prize, which will be awarded this fall in Des Moines, Iowa, where the food prize foundation is based, includes a $500,000 award that will be split between Fowler and Hawtin. The two men were motivated by concerns about climate change and its potential impact on agriculture, leading them to establish a secure seed vault that could be used in case of wars, climate change, or other threats to existing seed banks.
Hawtin, an executive board member at the Global Crop Diversity Trust, highlighted the existing threats to crops from insects, diseases, and political upheaval, but emphasized that climate change has intensified the need for a backup seed vault. He explained how climate change has the potential to exacerbate existing agricultural challenges, such as pests and diseases, under different climate conditions. Fowler and Hawtin hope that their recognition as World Food Prize laureates will help them advocate for increased funding for seed bank endowments worldwide, as maintaining these operations is crucial to ensuring a sustainable food supply in the face of global challenges.
The World Food Prize, founded by Norman Borlaug, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his role in the Green Revolution, aims to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the world’s food security. The prize will be awarded at the annual Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, held in Des Moines later this year. Fowler and Hawtin’s work on the Svalbard Global Seed Vault represents a significant step towards safeguarding crop diversity and ensuring a resilient food supply for future generations. Their innovative approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and other threats to agriculture has earned them global recognition and praise for their dedication to preserving the world’s food resources.
