Faced with mounting extinction threats, scientists propose a lunar biorepository to preserve Earth’s biodiversity as a safeguard against climate change and other disasters.
A team of international experts has suggested creating a lunar vault to store frozen biological samples of endangered species, offering a backup against terrestrial threats like climate change and war.
The moon’s cold environment could preserve these samples without human intervention, ensuring they remain viable for future cloning and biodiversity restoration efforts.
Although costly and challenging, the proposal aims to protect biodiversity while urging continued efforts to preserve species on Earth.
Key quote:
“If you say: I’m going to do it this way, and it doesn’t work, what’s plan B?”
— Dr. Mary Hagedorn, Smithsonian’s national zoo and conservation biology institute
Why this matters:
As climate change and habitat loss accelerate species extinction, safeguarding biodiversity becomes crucial for the planet's ecological balance. A lunar biorepository offers a unique but controversial solution by protecting genetic material from disasters that threaten Earth's existing conservation efforts.
