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Type Paper
Cite as Citation reference for the source document. David C. Denkenberger, Joshua M. Pearce, Ray A. Taylor, Ryan A. Black, Food without sun: Price and life-saving potential. Foresight 21(1), pp.118-129 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-04-2018-0041 open access

The purpose of this study is to estimate the price and life-saving potential of alternate foods. The sun could be blocked by asteroid impact, supervolcanic eruption or nuclear winter caused by burning of cities during a nuclear war. The primary problem in these scenarios is loss of food production. Previous work has shown that alternate foods not dependent on sunlight, such as bacteria grown on natural gas and cellulose turned into sugar enzymatically, could feed everyone in these catastrophes, and preparation for these foods would save lives in a manner that is highly cost-effective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study estimates the price of alternate foods during a catastrophe in line with global trade and information sharing, but factors such as migration, loans, aid or conflict are not taken into consideration.

Findings

Without alternate foods, for a five-year winter, only approximately 10 per cent of the population would survive. The price of dry food would rise to approximately $100/kg, and the expenditure on this food would be approximately $100tn. If alternate foods were $8/kg, the surviving global population increases to approximately 70 per cent, saving >4billion lives.

Research limitations/implications

A nongovernmental mechanism for coordinating the investments of rich people may be possible. Identifying companies whose interests align with alternate food preparations may save lives at a negative cost.

Practical implications

The probability of loss of civilization and its impact on future generations would be lower in this scenario, and the total expenditure on food would be halved.

Originality/value

Preparation for alternate foods is a good investment even for wealthy people who would survive without alternate foods.

Keywords[edit | edit source]

alternate food; global catastrophic risk; nuclear war; existential risk; economics; food

See also[edit | edit source]

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Feeding Everyone No Matter What
Foodweb.png

Additional Information[edit source]

Davos IDRC Conference[edit source]

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Page data
Authors Joshua M. Pearce
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 37 pages link here
Impact 836 page views
Created August 19, 2018 by Joshua M. Pearce
Modified July 14, 2023 by Felipe Schenone
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