A severe multi-year drought across northern and central China from 1585–1590 devastated agriculture, triggered epidemics, and contributed to social unrest toward the end of the Ming Dynasty. Widespread crop failure and water scarcity highlighted vulnerabilities from prior land intensification.

Ming poetry and literati writings documented suffering and moral reflections on governance and nature, influencing Qing-era and modern Chinese poets who use drought imagery for themes of resilience and critique. It enriches global ecopoetic dialogues on historical climate justice.