Penn State University — Research on Emergency Food Resilience (Charles Anderson) (2020)

Abstract

Penn State University is carrying out a research project focused on emergency food resilience, particularly on the production of food from unconventional sources following a global catastrophe. This is spurred by potential global disasters such as a severe nuclear war, a large asteroid strike, or a supervolcano eruption. The research aims to identify plant-based resources able to grow in post-catastrophic climate conditions, developing strategies for emergency food production, whilst considering the potential impacts on human health. An additional goal is to predict and design household, community, and market responses to such large-scale disasters. Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $3,064,660 over four years for this project led by Professor Charles T. Anderson and his team. This follows the organization’s support in 2019, and ties into their broader work on scientific research and endeavors to mitigate global catastrophic risks. The interest in emergency foods originated from engagement with the work of David Denkenberger and his colleagues at the Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters. – AI-generated abstract.