The research describes the worst-case scenario, in which extreme weather affects winter wheat crops in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast China in the same year.
The Horn of Africa, for example, suffered several years of drought starting in 2020 that killed livestock and wiped out crops. The research was intended to show political leaders and disaster responders the degree to which a critical crop is threatened, so they can prepare accordingly for such a crisis. "It's about imagining these serious consequences: we could take steps to prevent them and build a more resilient system," the study's lead author said.