00:00I just found out that scientists want to create basically a Noah's Ark on the moon.
00:04Let me explain.
00:05So right now it's estimated that anywhere from 200 to 2,000 plants and animal species
00:10go extinct every year.
00:11And we already use remote places like this global seed vault in Norway to safeguard biodiversity.
00:16But even our most remote facilities face earthly threats like
00:19climate change and natural disasters and also global conflict.
00:22So some scientists are suggesting something more secure.
00:25Enter a frozen lab on the moon,
00:28where they say we could store seeds but also reproductive cells and DNA for endangered species.
00:32They specifically want to put this lab inside an empty lava tube on the lunar south pole,
00:37where they say the frigid minus 196 degrees celsius temperatures
00:42meet the minimum requirement to store most animal cells long term.
00:45And the lava tube would protect the samples from cosmic radiation
00:48and micrometeors and temperature fluctuations.
00:50I mean, huge if true.
00:52Like one of the scientists said, when it comes to preserving biodiversity,
00:55it's good to have as many plans as possible.
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