It is the plant that changed humanity

It is the plant that changed humanity

Hunter-gatherer tribes who were struggling to survive in a hostile environment became the planet's rulers as wheat farming enabled Homo sapiens to support themselves in ever-increasing numbers.

In the process, a type of wild grass that was formerly restricted to a small area of the Middle East has spread across huge areas of the planet.

In the process, a type of wild grass that was formerly restricted to a small area of the Middle East has spread across huge areas of the planet.

In the wide plains of North America, where not a single wheat stalk grew 10,000 years ago, you can go for hundreds of kilometres without encountering any other plants, according to historian Yuval Noah Harari.

The production of wheat, which currently provides 20% of the daily calories consumed by people, is under danger.

The production of wheat, which currently provides 20% of the daily calories consumed by people, is under danger.

Due to human-caused global warming, our world will likely see increasingly extreme heat waves, droughts, and wildfires that could destroy future harvests and result in widespread hunger.