Global warming is threatening coffee crops, and it’s not just caffeine lovers who will feel the impact. Nations producing and exporting the coffee beans will lose a large chunk of economic benefits as droughts and dry conditions prevail driven by changing climate patterns all around the world.
Coffee prices reached an all-time high in late November. It is worth noting that coffee is the world’s second-most consumed beverage.
Droughts in Brazil, which is the largest producer of coffee in the world, and Vietnam, two of the largest coffee producers, have dramatically reduced yields in coffee beans production. This has driven up prices for remaining supplies in the market.
According to Inside Climate News, scientists blame human-caused global warming and El Niño for the increasing droughts in nations like Brazil.
There might be no clear evidence on how climate change affects coffee production’s ecosystem services, but studies show that coffee yields will decline, suitable growing areas will shift, and pests and diseases will spread. Global coffee-growing regions, especially Brazil and Vietnam, are predicted to lose optimal areas for coffee cultivation.
In Brazil, deforestation worsens the drought by changing rainfall patterns and reducing the soil’s ability to hold water. Study shows that Brazil has faced its worst droughts in history over the last decade, with more frequent and intense hydrological droughts from 2010 to 2021 and resulting in severe socio-economic and environmental impacts.
Vietnam is also facing its worst drought in nearly a decade, compounded by Typhoon Yagi in September, as reported by IFRC.
The climate crisis is putting many staple foods at risk, including coffee. Reduced crop yields push prices up, and consumers will feel the effects at checkout.
Small coffee producers in Brazil face bankruptcy, which threatens jobs and local economies, as noted by the Associated Press.
While these changes may feel distant, we can all help by cutting down on pollution. Switching to solar energy reduces reliance on polluting power grids. Choosing biking over driving can also make a difference.
But, it is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases which need to transit away from fossil fuel use to reduce the volume of heat trapping gases in the atmosphere.
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Coffee prices surged to a 47-year high as extreme weather affects global coffee supplies. Scientists predict that by 2050, suitable coffee-growing areas could shrink by half due to rising temperatures at the global average front.
The challenges are just beginning. Coffee is vulnerable to climate change, and the industry must adapt quickly. The effects of global warming will only intensify. 2025 is predicted to join 2023 and 2024 as the warmest three years on record.
