The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

By July 2022, extreme heat and drought had devastating effects on agriculture in Texas and worldwide. Near Dallas, corn farmer John Paul Dineen faced significantly reduced yields. His corn crops matured prematurely because of the extreme temperatures, resulting in shorter stalks and ears that were dry, hard, and only partially filled with kernels. Many Texas farmers experienced similar hardships, with a large portion of corn acreage in poor condition despite high market prices.

Globally, extreme heat severely impacted crop harvests. In India, heat waves led to a substantial drop in wheat production, prompting the government to ban exports to safeguard domestic food supplies, causing alarm among global grain traders and food security experts. Rising food prices, driven by these events, led to unrest in countries like Sri Lanka and increased the risk of starvation for millions in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further intensified the global food crisis. By disrupting Ukraine’s wheat exports through blockades and destruction of infrastructure, the invasion removed a significant amount of wheat from the global market. This action led to a sharp increase in wheat prices worldwide, disproportionately affecting people in developing nations who spend a large portion of their income on food.