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Teresa Esquenazi, a longtime employee of Jungle Jack Nursery, a hidden gem nestled in the rural area of Zapata Country, near Ramierño, TX, just off Highway 83 has experienced first-hand the struggles caused by heat increase in plants. This plant nursery is in a flat and semi-arid area with long, warm summers and mild winters, classic South Texas landscape. The challenges of sustaining the nursery now depend on their adaptability; which for a business means increase of expenses, such as shading devices and water usage. “As the weather got hotter, we started building roofs because everything was burning... The business had to create storage areas... The gloves were melting... The whiteboard that we use to keep track of the potted plants gets replaced regularly... Even my phone overheats; everything gets ruined... even being in the shade!” she describes.

The once-thriving plants now become orange or yellow in the blazing heat. The change of color in the plants is a reflection of their deterioration as the thermal condition disrupts photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. It is an essential process since it could be impossible for a plant to derive energy from the sun without it. When exposed to heat stress, typically between 10-15°C and above the optimal range, the plant cell organelles become damaged. The formation of brown or yellow colored leaves in the plants is a consequence of oxidative stress and this stress further interrupts the normal processes of photosynthesis. Leading to the withered and death of plant tissues under the oppressive heat (Wang et al.,2018). “Nobody wants to buy a plant that is another color than green. That is the damage that excessive heat does,” she mentioned.

To protect the plants from the blazing sun, a significant investment of time, effort, and materials burdens, the business as well as its workers, like Teresa, needs to take stricter measures to protect the plants. Teresa remembers last year’s temperatures reaching 111°F (44°C), “Last year was hotter, and we expect the beginning of summer earlier,” she notes. One of the needed measures was the increase in water intake due to higher evaporation. Higher temperatures cause more significant water loss in plants due to soil evaporation and increased transpiration.  

Heat and drought together cause increased stress and water loss, which negatively influences plant development and the quality of crops (Cui et al., 2022). But even with consistent water supply, the soil dried up too quickly, which makes it challenging for the roots to absorb enough moisture.

One noteworthy plant at Jungle Jack Nursery, is the Plumeria rubra which is commonly referred to as the “Karma Plant” at this local plant nursery. This deciduous plant species, known for its sweet, floral aroma and vibrant color palette ranging from pinks, red, and white represent resilience. The withering condition of the plant serves as a stark reminder of the harsh reality of climate change. The juxtaposition of how the plant’s natural ability to adapt to harsher heat intake was its strongest suit, now the heat is the reason behind its inability to survive.

Not only do the plants wilt, but the gardeners do as well. "You do not perform as well; you arrive very tired from work. Even if you are hydrated, you get overwhelmed by the sun.” Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause severe damage to the physical condition, especially at the time of extreme heat waves. Long stretches of hot weather can result in physical conditions such as heat stroke and exhaustion and even trigger the exacerbation of chronic diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and respiratory disorders. The pressure on the organs, especially the heart and kidneys, due to the failure of the thermoregulatory mechanisms results in attack and death due to illnesses. Alarming data indicates that between 2000 and 2019, there were about 500,000 heat-related deaths worldwide (World Health Organization, 2021). Consequently, if the temperatures continue to rise, reducing working hours will be inevitable.

For Teresa, the plants are like children, causing a profound bond to them: “It is very pleasant to see the evolution of a plant that you put in a seed, and it grows. The evolution is that it grows, and then you start to love it, and you talk to it,” she shares. Nonetheless, it is devastating to witness the plants dying from excessive heat after the care and dedication you pour into it, which is a sentiment that many farmers and gardeners could identify with.

Reflecting on the future, Teresa worries about what will happen if the heat intensifies. “The hotter the weather gets, we have to invest more. The day we can’t afford all that, the business will go bankrupt,” she warns. 

Her story emphasizes the real economic and social impacts of climate change on local businesses and people. In Texas, the lost productivity from extreme heat may reach up to $110 billion per year by 2050 without explicit adaptation measures that are equal to 2.5% of post-heat-stress economic value (Atlantic Council, 2021). 

This is particularly concerning for regions where outdoor agricultural labor is prolonged since prolonged exposure to heat stress diminishes crop yield and, at the same time, limits the worker's hours of work, which increases the economic cost.