Extreme heat events are increasingly threatening global agrifood systems, with over a billion people affected and hundreds of billions of work hours lost each year, according to a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Meteorological Organization. Agricultural workers are among the most exposed, as rising temperatures directly damage crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestry systems while also undermining human health and productivity. The report highlights that heatwaves have become more frequent, intense, and prolonged over the past 50 years, turning extreme heat into a major risk multiplier that worsens water stress, droughts, wildfires, pest outbreaks, and ecosystem collapse. It also shows that biological limits for plants and animals are being exceeded more often, leading to reduced yields, livestock stress, fish mortality, and declining nutritional quality of food products, while in many regions outdoor agricultural work is becoming increasingly unsafe for extended periods each year.
The report further explains that compound impacts are intensifying across regions, with extreme heat triggering flash droughts, reducing soil moisture, and accelerating land degradation, as seen in recent severe events across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. These cascading effects not only reduce agricultural output but also weaken long-term land productivity and increase vulnerability to erosion and climate shocks. Case studies show how heat extremes interact with other climate variables to amplify damage, including widespread crop losses and major wildfire outbreaks. Looking ahead, the report emphasizes the need for stronger adaptation measures such as climate-resilient crop varieties, adjusted farming calendars, improved land and water management, and early warning systems to help farmers respond in time. It also stresses that technical solutions must be supported by financial protection mechanisms, social safety nets, and stronger international cooperation to ensure food security and protect livelihoods in an increasingly heat-stressed global agricultural system.
