With global warming, there is an increase in torrential rains in tropical regions. Where coffee grows. Some crops are unfortunately affected. In the photo, you can clearly see illegal deforestation in Brazil. This creates a huge amount of carbon in the air and affects global warming even more. Many coffee crops have gone through massive deforestation before being planted.
Torrential rains and reduced production
We can already see the effects of global warming in Colombia. In 2017, some regions had no coffee production following heavy downpours the previous year. They have reduced their production by at least 14 million bags.
According to Climate Institute quoted in futura-science, coffee production will drop by 50% by 2050 due to global warming. It is the arabica coffee, the one we consume mainly, which will be the most affected, because it does not support the high heat, nor the increase in CO2. This risks creating a real socio-economic problem as several countries are dependent on this sole source of production.
In Brazil, the land is less and less capable of providing coffee. Production has decreased by 11% since 2016. The plantations have become victims of several diseases due to all these climatic changes.
Producing coffee pollutes
A 2006 study, collecting data from 56 plantations in Brazil, assesses
that producing a ton of green coffee has a significant ecological impact, here are the facts in figures:
- 11,437 liters of water for a ton of coffee beans...
- 10 kg of pesticides and 911 kg of fertilizer.
- Energy use 10,670 MJ, of which 94 kg diesel
Coffee farmers are hungry
What we see less when we buy our coffee at the corner grocery store is how climate change is already affecting the families that produce the coffee. Since the beginning of the 20th century, producers' incomes have fallen by two-thirds. Pictured is a child working on a coffee farm in Thailand to help support her family. 120 million people make a living from coffee production in 70 different countries. It is the whole of a population that is suffering from global warming, who are poorly paid, and who are hungry.
Possible solutions
But before the problems get worse, we must act by consuming responsibly. But how do you do without the aromas of morning coffee? How to wake up without coffee? Is it possible to replace our favorite beverage?
Let's face it, change happens gradually. It is not necessary to stop drinking coffee overnight. But to be aware of the impacts of our coffee consumption. There are several alternatives that one can adopt today. Fair trade and organic coffees help small communities grow by giving them back appropriate wages.
Also, "Les cafés Dufour" is committed to creating coffees made from berries and roots mainly from Quebec. By producing locally, we reduce our carbon impact and enhance the local economy. The organic plants in our coffees are necessary to keep our planet healthy.
To start, I suggest the "pop coffee", it comes close to the taste of coffee thanks to the roasting done in the oven of carefully mixed berries and roots. It even brings flavors of maple syrup to the cup, and gives us a sense of respect for the land that produces our food.
see you soon,
Marie-Helene
sources:
-BFMTV.com
-futura-sciences.com
-Leda Coltro, “Environmental Profile of Brazilian Green Coffee,” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment , vol. 11, no. 1, 2006, p. 16-21