Research on food sources for “nuclear winter”

“Nuclear winter” refers to the reduction in global temperatures caused by nuclear war, which significantly alters the global climate and environment. Since the Cold War, the international community has been on high alert about nuclear war, even in one area, which can cause unpredictable dangers to the human environment.

However, in the unfortunate event of a “nuclear winter” what will be the impact on production? global food? A study at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) shows that a part of humanity can survive a nuclear disaster thanks to some wild plants and edible insects in the tropics.

Technology researcher Daniel Winstead and professor of forestry resources Michael Jacobson of the University of Pennsylvania (USA) conducted this special study to analyze the ability to recover food in an emergency. The study was published in February this year in the journal Ambio of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Although the study is more topical in light of current concerns about Russia and Ukraine conflict could escalate into a nuclear weapons war, but lead author Winstead said: “I was completely unaware of any international news, the timing of our study was purely coincidental.”

Reducing the amount of sunlight causes a decrease in temperature

Research shows that in sky-obscuring disasters like volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts or supernova explosions, the most likely and preventable is nuclear war.

With the huge number of nuclear warheads of the US and Russia (accounting for more than 90% of global nuclear weapons), once fired, it will release into the atmosphere millions of tons of smoke and dust, the mass of which is about 11 times the combined weight of nuclear weapons. volume of the pyramid of Giza.

The study reports that such a nuclear weapons war, if any, would reduce sunlight by about 40% near the equator and about 5% near the poles, resulting in weathering of the relevant regions becoming more intense. As cold temperatures and rainfall decrease dramatically in temperate regions of the world, full recovery may take up to 15 years.

In that scenario, ice would gradually cover much of North America, Europe and Asia, while in humid tropical forests like the Congo or the Amazon basin, rainfall could drop by 90% in the next few years. there.

In addition, the smog from large-scale nuclear war will cause global crop failure for at least 4-5 years.

Source of life from wild plants

The goal of the study was to determine after nuclear war which areas were suitable for agricultural production and which crops could be grown efficiently.

Accordingly, the study identified population concentration areas located near forests and in the tropics, the team examined 247 species of wild edible plants (WEPs) and selected 33 species of common species. Varieties that can be grown or harvested after a nuclear war are those that can be harvested most of the year. At the same time, the study also selected 33 species of wild plants based on the growth characteristics of shade, drought and low temperature, although the number is relatively small, they can also be eaten by humans.

Researcher Winstead said the Aboriginal people knew many species of wild edible plants, in addition to their daily diet may also incorporate some insects, such as palm weevils, which are rich in fat. and protein, you can bake them, grind them into breads and soups.

There are many species of wild plants to feed people after a nuclear disaster (possibly) such as: yams, which are starchy tubers; cassava is a very calorie-rich vegetable; wild oyster mushrooms provide protein, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants; African wild plums are oily fruits; In addition, easy-to-cook spinach and amaranth varieties are popular in Asia and Africa…

Another group of wild plants that are edible and readily available without waiting for planting after a disaster are seeds and nuts: palm berries, tamarind, dilo seeds, acacia seeds, sambi beetles, baobab (adansonia digitata) ), tubers, and bananas are among the most common sources of wild plants.

Winstead also emphasized the issue of biodiversity not only enriching the world’s species but also having many other uses, especially providing food to feed humans with tens of thousands of wild plant species on Earth. land that humans can eat.

In addition to warning of how bad a nuclear war is, Winstead hopes this study will help raise awareness about the species. wild plants can be eaten so that after a nuclear disaster (possibly), humanity will find a safe source of food.