As extreme heat tightens its grip, farms and food security face a punishing new reality

Summary: Extreme heat is making it a lot harder to grow food and raise animals, according to a new report from the United Nations and weather experts. As temperatures rise around the world, the entire food system is under heavy pressure.

Animals are feeling the heat just like we do. For example, chickens and pigs can't sweat, so they get dangerously stressed when the temperature goes above 25°C (77°F). Fish are also in trouble because hot ocean water holds less oxygen, which can actually cause them to suffer from heart failure. Crops like potatoes and barley stop growing well when it hits 30°C (86°F). On top of all this, it is becoming too hot for farmworkers to do their jobs safely. In some parts of the world, workers might face up to 250 dangerously hot days a year where they can't go outside.

Experts say we need to adapt quickly to this new reality. This means planting different crops that handle heat better, setting up early warning systems, and helping farmers protect our global food supply before it's too late.

For more details, see rssapp-phys-org at sciencex.com/news/2026-04-extreme-tightens-farms-food-reality.html (opens in new tab)