A NEW study about the potential of seaweed as a resilient food source was published in the scientific journal “Earth’s Future” by a team of researchers from the Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters (Allfed), Louisiana State University, University of the Philippines Diliman Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) and the University of Canterbury.
Researchers have discovered that seaweed can be a crucial pillar for food security in the context of abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios, as seen in scenarios like nuclear winter. Surprisingly, seaweed is resilient in adverse conditions, so its growth and potential to enhance food security increases after more severe nuclear conflicts.
Using an empirical model based on the seaweed Gracilaria tikvahiae, in combination with nuclear winter climate data, the researchers simulated global seaweed growth. The results demonstrate that seaweed has the capacity to be cultivated in tropical oceans even after a major nuclear war between Russia and the United States.
Such a war would deliver 150 Tg (glass transition temperature) of black carbon to the atmosphere and could block out the sunlight for years but enough to drive photosynthesis. This scenario leads to increased vertical mixing and decreased phytoplankton production, providing more nutrients to the seaweed.
Previous studies show that agriculture and fisheries production would plummet, so alternative food sources like seaweed will be critical in ensuring good security in sunlight reduction scenarios. Ocean modeler professor Cheryl Harrison from the Louisiana State University mentioned the seeming inevitability of crises like nuclear war and large volcanic eruptions. Her advice: “… we need to be ready. Because the ocean does not cool as rapidly as land, marine aquaculture is a very good option.”
Seaweed can be quickly scaled up to meet a substantial portion of global food application demand, reaching about 70 percent within just seven to 13 months. Most of this can be used for animal feed and biofuel, as human consumption is limited to 10 to 15 percent due to the high iodine content in seaweed, which could cause adverse health effects.
Seaweed farming
Researchers also suggest investing in seaweed farming as a proactive measure for global food security, both now and after a catastrophe. This could potentially avert a significant number of deaths from starvation, according to resilient food expert professor David Denkenberger from the University of Canterbury.
In the Philippines, low-tech seaweed farming is the most commonly implemented infrastructure.
Laboratory head professor Michael Roleda of Algal Physiology laboratory of UP MSI said they are engaged in the “selection and curation of novel and climate change resilient cultivars of tropical seaweeds (e.g., eucheumatoids and gracilariods) that possess superior traits in terms of growth, chemistry and disease resistance.”
UP MSI’s gene bank provides a platform for selective breeding and production of high-quality seed stock for distribution to seaweed farmers. The institute’s efforts significantly contribute to the goal of scaling up seaweed for future food production and security.
UP MSI is one of seven academic institutes of the College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman. It aims to advance, disseminate and apply knowledge through research and development, and public service and extension in the marine sciences and related disciplines, playing a big role in shaping the discourse on the Philippine waters.
The study’s preprint was selected as one of the most exciting and interesting entries out of 17,000 submissions to the European Geosciences Union conference in Vienna (2023), and discussed in their press conference and blog. According to lead author Florian Ulrich Jehn from Allfed, this study opens avenues to further research about seaweed as a food solution after a nuclear war.