Name: Why our future relies on the genetic diversity of food
Uploaded: 2019-10-15T21:38:50Z
Duration: 9 min 14 s
Description: Should a cauliflower be valued and preserved like the Mona Lisa? What would it mean to us if we lost the cauliflower as a species? The world has experienced a 75 percent decrease in horticultural diversity in the past 150 years. Botanist and educator Esther Meduna explains why this is a problem and how the seed libraries popping up worldwide are helping combat it.

Esther Meduna: Why our future relies on the genetic diversity of food

Why our future relies on the genetic diversity of food

Should a cauliflower be valued and preserved like the Mona Lisa? What would it mean to us if we lost the cauliflower as a species? The world has experienced a 75 percent decrease in horticultural diversity in the past 150 years. Botanist and educator Esther Meduna explains why this is a problem and how the seed libraries popping up worldwide are helping combat it.

The genetic diversity of our crops is rapidly shrinking, with 75 percent lost in just 150 years. This loss makes food systems vulnerable to disease, as seen in the Irish Potato Famine. Each traditional vegetable or fruit variety is a living piece of cultural heritage, shaped by generations. Reviving and sharing these seeds can secure food for future challenges and preserve flavors, stories, and resilience.