Climate change is threatening one of the most popular beverages in the world: coffee. Coffee lovers not only enjoy the rich aroma and comforting warmth of a cup of Joe but also cherish the ritual of sitting down with a fresh brew. With over 2 billion cups consumed daily, coffee plays a vital role in the economies of more than 50 countries along the Coffee Belt, spanning the globe along the equator. However, climate change poses significant challenges to coffee production, impacting the quantity, quality, and associated costs and risks of growing beans.
How climate change affects coffee plants
Most people in the world drink coffee made from either arabica (Coffea arabica) or robusta (Coffea canephora) coffee beans, both of which are susceptible to the effects of a warming climate. Climate change affects coffee plants in multiple ways, including reduced growing areas, increased pest prevalence, and diminished quality. Coffee plants rely on specific temperature and rainfall patterns for growth. Inadequate or unpredictable water supply can hinder the growth and bean production of coffee plants. Extreme temperatures, whether too high or too low, can stress the plants, resulting in lower yields and decreased quality. Additionally, the changing climate is impacting the suitability of areas where coffee plants thrive.
How climate change affects coffee plants
Coffee plants are sensitive to changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunlight, as they require specific climatic conditions to produce high-quality beans. Climate change can disrupt these conditions, causing various issues for coffee plants, such as:
Heat stress: Higher temperatures can reduce the photosynthesis and respiration of coffee plants, leading to lower yield and quality. Additionally, warmer temperatures can encourage the proliferation of pests and diseases like the coffee borer beetle, which damages crops by boring into cherries and laying eggs inside the seeds. The rising temperatures have also created favorable growing conditions for coffee rust, a fungal infection that can reduce yields. Conversely, lower temperatures can impede the growth, development, flowering, and fruiting of coffee plants.
Water stress: Sufficient and consistent water availability is crucial for coffee plants to grow and produce beans. However, climate change can lead to droughts or floods, disrupting the water balance and stressing the plants. Droughts decrease soil moisture, impacting photosynthesis and transpiration, resulting in smaller and fewer beans. Floods increase the risk of fungal infections and waterborne diseases that can harm both coffee plants and beans.- Altitude shift: Coffee plants thrive within specific altitudes, soil types, shade, and biodiversity. Climate change may force coffee farmers to relocate or adapt their production systems. For example, studies suggest that by 2050, up to 50% of the currently suitable areas for Arabica coffee, the most widely consumed type, could become unsuitable due to climate change. This would necessitate coffee farmers to move to higher altitudes or switch to more resilient varieties like Robusta or hybrid coffees. However, these options may result in higher costs, compromised quality, or loss of traditional knowledge and culture.
How climate change affects coffees flavor
Climate change also affects the flavor of coffee. Several factors can impact the quality of coffee, including:
Flavor and aroma: Coffee’s flavor and aroma primarily derive from chemical compounds in the beans, such as sugars, acids, oils, and volatile compounds. These compounds are influenced by temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunlight during the growth and development of coffee plants. Climate change can alter these factors, leading to different or undesirable flavors and aromas. For instance, higher temperatures can diminish acidity and sweetness, while lower temperatures can delay ripening and reduce aroma.- Nutritional value: Coffee contains various antioxidants, including polyphenols and chlorogenic acids, which offer health benefits. The antioxidant content of coffee beans is influenced by environmental conditions during growth. Climate change can affect the metabolism and biosynthesis of these antioxidants. For instance, higher temperatures can reduce the polyphenol content of coffee beans, while lower temperatures can increase it.
How you can help coffee adapt
Coffee represents not only a beverage but also a culture and livelihood that warrant protection. You can contribute by supporting the diversification of coffee. Certain varieties, such as Liberica (Coffea liberica), are more heat-tolerant and are gaining attention from coffee importers and sellers. Consider purchasing Liberica online.
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Speak up about climate change. Pick a topic and act on it – we all need to do something. It is all one world.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.