A global sun-blocking catastrophe is more plausible than anyone would like to think. Models have consistently shown the devastating effects these events could have to the world’s agricultural systems for upwards of 15 years. New shade-, drought-, and cool-tolerant crops and more food stockpile sources must be found if there would be any hope of feeding the global population in such a scenario. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are important buffers of food security to indigenous peoples, impoverished peoples, and those in areas with erratic growing seasons across the globe. Here, we suggest WEP species that have the potential to be scaled up through cultivation in post-catastrophe conditions, and the use of foraged food stockpiles to function as stop-gap foods until conventional agriculture returns. We also propose policy initiatives for habitat protection, education programs, and general preparedness.

全球防晒灾难比任何人想象的都更有可能发生。模型一致显示这些事件可能对世界农业系统造成长达 15 年以上的破坏性影响。在这种情况下，如果有希望养活全球人口，就必须找到新的耐荫、耐旱和耐冷作物以及更多的粮食储备来源。野生食用植物 (WEP) 是土著人民、贫困人民以及全球生长季节不稳定地区人民粮食安全的重要缓冲。在此，我们建议采用有潜力通过在灾后条件下种植来扩大规模的 WEP 物种，以及在传统农业回归之前使用采集的食物储备作为权宜之计。我们还提出了栖息地保护、教育计划和一般准备方面的政策举措。