폭염 지난 땅에 다시 씨앗을 [똑똑! 한국사회]

Severe heatwaves from last summer have returned, but the severity is lessened. Today's 30 degrees Celsius is something most people can handle. This year's heatwave occurred due to the meeting of a high-pressure area from Tibet and a hot and humid high-pressure area from the northern Pacific Ocean, trapping the Korean Peninsula in heat.

The situation was like catching a fire once the dam was broken. City dwellers suffered, especially those living in poorly ventilated housing or working on construction sites. Even in rural areas, farmers had to work through the heat. However, people can find shelter indoors when it's too hot. They try to save electricity, but the cooler indoor environment is a relief compared to the sweltering outdoors.

They grow tomatoes, which are the only crop that bears fruit in the scorching summer. Tomato and chili plants, which are heat-sensitive, cannot escape the heat. While they grow, they cannot flee to cooler areas like humans. The only relief is the harvest, which, unfortunately, has been affected by the extreme heat this year. Only the lower portion of tomato fruits ripens first, and as the plant grows, the remaining fruits ripen gradually.

The tomato is harvested a few times a week, and the harvested fruit is turned into juice. This year, the heat began affecting flowers from the third stage, causing reduced yield. While previous years also saw reduced harvests due to heatwaves, it was less severe this year. The impact extends beyond the tomato yield; it affects the olive and grape production in Spain, Greece, and Italy, where temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius and droughts are severe.

These factors weaken olive and grape trees, causing them to die. For the farmer, it is a matter of great concern. Will they be able to continue farming and sustain their livelihoods? Yet, one cannot help but feel helpless, as the decreasing agricultural production is not met with serious concern from many people. As autumn approaches, they planted vegetables.

During weekends, my husband tilled the soil and prepared beds for winter cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, kale, and basil. After harvesting earlier vegetables, this field rested for a month. Despite the terrible heat, the farmer knew that plants return to the land when the time is right. Just like always, they continue to till the land and plant grains and vegetables. Next spring, they will return to the field with new crops.