Algae accumulation will be critical to surviving a catastrophic nuclear war, scientists say

World leaders have been urged to prepare for a catastrophe that would follow an “abrupt sunlight reduction scenario”.

Scientists have found a way for humanity to survive a nuclear conflict – but say it will involve a lot of algae.

World leaders have been urged to prepare for a catastrophe that would follow an “abrupt sunlight reduction scenario”.

Experts warn that while nuclear power would cause enormous loss of life, the majority of deaths would result from mass starvation.

A new report by the Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters has outlined a way out of such a crisis and urged governments to prepare.

Because algae require little sunlight and can withstand radiation, it would be ideal for factory farming, the group said.

Asteroid impacts and violent volcanic eruptions are also among the scenarios that would require similar measures, The Times reports.

Academic Juan García Martínez said, “We’re trying to foster preparedness – a culture where institutions, governments and corporations are prepared for some kind of global catastrophe that has been fairly neglected.”

Experts have said that human survival would require a three-phase response.

In the first case, mass slaughtering of livestock and fish could buy time while alternative food sources are found, according to the study published in the journal Nutrients.

After that, processing sugar from wood — which would be plentiful in dead forests — would help provide the necessary energy to help people get by.

In the third phase, “staple foods” such as potatoes and seaweed would be settled near the equator.

These need to be seeded quickly, García Martínez said, with the algae helping to provide vital nutrients.

He said that it is crucial for world leaders to put together a plan for such a catastrophic event as it will be based on political cooperation between nations.

He said: “We believe that being better prepared for this type of scenario would reduce both the likelihood and severity of a potential civilization collapse.”