UN Warns Extreme Heat Threatening Global Agrifood Systems

• 23 Apr 2026

In April 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that rising extreme heat is severely impacting global agriculture and livelihoods.

Key Points

• Core Concern:
  • Extreme heat threatening over a billion people dependent on agrifood systems.
  • Affecting crops, livestock, fisheries, and forests.
• Rising Heat Trends:
  • Heatwaves becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged.
  • 2025 among the hottest years on record.
• Impact on Agriculture:
  • Crop yields decline beyond ~30°C threshold.
  • Each 1°C rise reduces yields of major crops by ~6%.
• Case Example:
  • Morocco saw over 40% drop in cereal yields.
  • Severe losses in olive and citrus production.
• Marine Impact:
  • 91% of oceans faced marine heatwaves in 2024.
  • Reduced oxygen levels threaten fish stocks.
• Escalating Risks:
  • Heat intensity doubles at 2°C warming.
  • Quadruples at 3°C compared to 1.5°C baseline.
• Compounding Effects:
  • Heat acts as risk multiplier for droughts, wildfires, and pests.
  • Increases vulnerability of ecosystems and food systems.
• Policy Recommendations:
  • Strengthen early warning systems for farmers and fishers.
  • Improve climate risk governance and data access.
• Long-Term Solution:
  • Adaptation alone insufficient.
  • Requires coordinated global action to curb climate change.