Mark Garten 2009, 2 September Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen, Norway
Color photograph United Nations Photo UN Photo/Mark Garten. www.un.org/av/photo/, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en
View of the main entrance to the Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen, Norway. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the vault, established in 2007 to protect seed samples from around the world against the threats of climate change, disease and disasters. Permafrost and thick rock ensure that even without electricity, the genetic material stored in the vault will remain frozen and protected. The Secretary-General said that the seeds stored in the facility are part of a long-term strategy to ensure food security in the face of global warming and called it a gift to humanity and symbol of peace that will continue to inspire and serve for generations to come.
