Cary Fowler
Cary Fowler (Morgan Carrington Fowler Jr.) was born in 1949 and is currently 77 years old. Cary Fowler was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Cary Fowler is an American agricultural expert who served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security from 2022 to 2025. He worked as the executive director of the Crop Trust. In 2024, he received the prestigious World Food Prize, recognizing individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food worldwide, for his contributions to global agriculture and food preservation.
His book
Seeds on Ice: Svalbard and the Global Seed Vault won the 2016 Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal for Best Book in the Ecology and Environment category.
The book is a striking exploration of one of the world's most important scientific projects. It explores the creation and purpose of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a secure facility built deep within the Norwegian archipelago to protect the world's crop diversity.
Fowler's book serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the fact that people in industrialized countries rarely think about where their food comes from or what might happen if the supply fails. Yet wars, terrorism, natural disasters, and climate change constantly threaten farmland and food sources, making the issue of global food security more urgent than ever.
Concerns about genetically modified crops have also added to the urgency of protecting natural seeds. These risks inspired the idea for the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also known as the Doomsday Vault. It stores millions of seeds in cold underground chambers, safeguarding them for future generations.
The author underscores the importance of biodiversity, revealing that certain plants naturally resist local pests, while others thrive only in specific soils and climates. Even grains that produce similar flour can differ in how they bake or taste, highlighting the unique value of regional crops and the need to appreciate and protect biodiversity.
By preserving these seeds, the vault not only protects against global catastrophe but also supports ongoing agricultural needs. In 2015, for example, the vault provided seeds that had initially come from Syria, returning them to the region after local seed banks were damaged, a testament to the vault's role in ensuring food security.
The book combines clear explanations with stunning photography. Its large format, with full-page images of crops, plants in test tubes, and the vault's vast interior, allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and importance of the subject matter. The photos of glaciers, Arctic landscapes, and wildlife capture both the power and fragility of the planet, serving as a powerful visual reminder of the stakes involved in preserving our food sources.
Fowler shares his firsthand experience leading the effort to preserve the world's food sources. He also appeared on CBS's "Sunday Morning," where he guided viewers through the vault and explained its global importance.
In the end,
Seeds on Ice: Svalbard and the Global Seed Vault is both beautiful and profound. It reminds readers that saving seeds means preserving the genetic diversity of life on Earth. Through his thoughtful writing and vivid visuals, Fowler shows that protecting biodiversity is not just science but a promise to the future, ensuring that life, in all its forms, can continue to thrive.
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Cary Fowler: F.A.Q
When was Cary Fowler Born? How old is Cary Fowler?
Cary Fowler was born in 1949. Cary Fowler is currently 77 years old.
Where was Cary Fowler Born?
Cary Fowler was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA and is American.
What was the first book Cary Fowler wrote?
The first book written by Cary Fowler was Shattering, published in 1990.
What was the most recent book Cary Fowler wrote?
Their most recently released work was Seeds on Ice on April 23rd, 2016.
Are there upcoming new books by Cary Fowler?
Cary Fowler does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has Cary Fowler written?
Cary Fowler has written 3 books. All of their books are Non-Fiction Books.