PowerPoint Presentation - Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization

2010 Russian Heat Wave

Fallout

ĄIn 2009, the Black Sea region contributed roughly ¼ of world wheat exports, but Russia has banned grain exports entirely through mid-2011

ĄHeat and drought decimated grass and hay growth, prompting the government to release 3 million tons of grain to supplement cattle feed; still, farmers have had to cull herds

ĄWorld wheat prices increase 60% over 2 months

Situation

ĄAverage Moscow July temperature: 14ˇF above norm

ĄNumber of fires starting every day in early August: 300-400

ĄForest damage and restoration cost estimate: $300 billion

ĄTotal death count from heat wave and air pollution: >56,000

ĄDrop in the Russian grain harvest: down 40% to 60 million tons from recent annual harvests of 100 million tons

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / Brasil2

The Russian heat wave is a powerful example of how a single event can quickly destabilize the global food economy.