Climate change could drain billions from the world economy

HOLTVILLE, CA - OCTOBER 08: Mexican agricultural workers cultivate romaine lettuce on a farm on October 8, 2013 in Holtville, California. Thousands of Mexican workers cross the border legally each night from Mexicali, Mexico into Calexico, CA, where they pick up work as agricultural day laborers in California's fertile Imperial Valley. Although the Imperial Valley, irrigated from water diverted from the Colorado River, is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the United States, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in California, at more than 25 percent. Mexican farm workers commute each day from Mexicali to work in the fields for about $9 an hour, which many local U.S. residents shun as too low pay. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Crop yields may shrink. Workers could be less efficient because they're sweating in the office. Sleep might not be as restful in the heat.

Climate change will have a profound effect on sea levels and weather patterns, that much is known.

But new research from Stanford University also suggests a global rise temperature by a few degrees could drain the world's economy by billions.

The optimum average temperature for productivity, says assistant professor Marshall Burke, is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the top economies in America fall into that range, New York City and San Francisco, for example.

But many things can happen when that increases by a few degrees.

Crop yields may shrink with slightly warmer temperatures. Workers everywhere may also be less efficient because they're sweating or uncomfortable in the office. Burke also suggests the temperatures could also impact sleep patterns, making people less on their game while on the job.

The net result of all that, he says, is a great loss of productivity in the economy.

Hear more of Burke's analysis by clicking the blue player above.