When the coffee is hot…
Coffee comes second in the ranking of the most consumed beverages in the world, preceded by… water.
Do I need to mention that the second stems from the first? Arabica and Robusta coffees (which together account for 99% of global production) are intrinsically dependent on temperature and rainfall. Climate change therefore represents a major threat to this beverage so prized by humankind. No one is immune.
The development of Arabica coffees
Achieving optimal growth in Arabica coffee requires a cool, semi-shaded environment, found in mountainous regions (between 1,200m and 2,000m altitude). The most sought-after varieties come from Ethiopia and Kenya, vast territories with a single dry season where temperatures range between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius. Above this temperature, the yield is affected. Between 1,500mm and 2,000mm of rainfall are necessary to maximize its annual productivity.
The development of robustas
Robusta, on the other hand, thrives in the low-lying equatorial plains of Africa, where the altitude ranges from sea level to 800 meters (which, like Arabica, doesn't mean it can't grow elsewhere… just think of Brazil or Colombia, both major coffee producers). This family of coffee plants, however, requires more rainfall, around 2,000 mm annually. The ideal temperature for a successful harvest is between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.
Climate change has consequences...
I won't pretend to be the "preacher" of the sad story of homeostasis, but... coffee is a bit like climate change; it affects everyone. Climate irregularities impact various factors surrounding the healthy development of coffee plants, including their genetics (biodiversity, hybridity, reproduction), their respective terroir (primarily rainfall), cultivation practices , fruit ripening time , harvesting conditions , and post-harvest processing (pulping, fermentation, and drying). When monsoons are delayed or shortened, when temperatures rise, when seasons shift, when tsunamis inundate islands, harvests suffer. The islands surrounding Indonesia, among others, are frequently weakened by the whims of Mother Nature.
...and which even cause illnesses
The flowering and fruit development of the coffee tree are very sensitive and require a stable climate. Pests such as nematodes, coffee rust, cherry borers, and leaf miners are also among the coffee tree's worst enemies… a single infestation of these insects is enough to jeopardize an entire harvest.
We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children .
Let future generations have the chance to drink good coffee…
