A recent scientific paper showed that climate breakdown is drastically increasing the chances of simultaneous crop losses in the world's poorest nations. The effects of this could be devastating.

We face an epochal, unthinkable prospect: of perhaps the two greatest existential threats – environmental breakdown and food system failure – converging, as one triggers the other.

So why isn’t this all over the front pages? Why, when governments know we’re facing existential risk, do they fail to act?

Looking back on previous human calamities, all of which will be dwarfed by this, you find yourself repeatedly asking “why didn’t they … ?” The answer is power: the power of a few to countermand the interests of humanity. It always has been, but the stakes are now higher than ever.

At the Guardian, we make a point of maintaining focus on the climate crisis. We have a large, global team of writers whose sole focus is this subject, and have recently appointed an extreme weather reporter and a European environment correspondent as well. We can only do this thanks to support from readers.

If you can, support journalism which puts the planet first.

With daily reports of extreme heat, the time for denial is over. Heatwaves across the northern hemisphere are more alarming evidence of the accelerating levels of climate damage; reminders that people across the world are losing their livelihoods – and lives – due to deadlier and more frequent heatwaves, floods, wildfires and droughts.

Journalism alone won’t reverse our trajectory. But there are three reasons why properly funded independent reporting will help us address it.

1. Quality climate journalism reminds us that this problem is not going away, and must be urgently addressed.
2. Independent journalism that amplifies the latest science, data and studies puts pressure on policymakers to take action.
3. Our work foregrounds solutions that encourage the innovation and investment in new technologies that we so desperately need.

At the Guardian, we have climate reporters stationed around the world. We have renounced advertising from fossil fuel companies and have significantly cut our own carbon emissions.

Help power the Guardian’s journalism for the years to come, whether with a small amount or a larger one.