Global Warming to Intensify Heat and Drought Periods in Major Crop Areas, Study Warns
A new study by climate researchers at the University of Hamburg has found that global warming will significantly increase the risk of simultaneous heat and drought periods in key crop-growing regions worldwide. The study, led by Dr. Victoria Dietz, a climatologist at the Centre for Earth System Research and Sustainability, suggests that the likelihood of such extreme events could double or even triple by the end of the century compared to a 1.5°C warming scenario.
The research identified maize-growing regions in East Asia, South Asia and North America as particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The scientists found that with a 2°C warming scenario, major crop areas could be simultaneously affected by extreme conditions every 14 years, a scenario that was previously considered extremely unlikely.
The combination of heat and drought can put crops under immense stress, leading to significant crop failures. The study’s authors warn that international markets may struggle to absorb such simultaneous failures, underscoring the urgency of limiting global warming to below 2°C and developing more resilient crop varieties.