Coffee Has Never Been So Popular, But It Has A Dark Side – CoffeeTalk

The coffee industry has been a topic of debate among scientists, with some arguing that it raises the risk of heart disease and others that it can reduce it. However, there is no denying the harmful environmental effects of the industry. Every year, 2.5 million acres of tropical forest are lost to coffee-related deforestation, particularly in Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia, contributing to biodiversity loss and worsening climate change. Trees, which absorb far more carbon dioxide than smaller plants, are being cleared for coffee plantations, accelerating global warming and extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene.

Coffee consumption has surged over the past decade, with 2 billion cups consumed daily worldwide. In the U.S. alone, consumption has risen nearly 40%, with 400 million cups enjoyed daily. Hubert Keller, a senior managing partner at Swiss private bank Lombard Odier Group, said that every time we drink coffee, we are basically putting CO2 into the atmosphere.

The coffee industry’s impact on the environment and climate includes biodiversity loss, chemical use, soil degradation, water use, climate change, and plastic. Traditional shade-grown coffee benefits from a natural tree canopy, supporting hundreds of bird species that act as natural pest controllers and fertilizers. Sun-grown coffee dominates the industry, clearing land for greater yield but requiring the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Intensive coffee farming depletes soil nutrients, making the land less fertile over time, threatening long-term agricultural sustainability. Water use is also incredibly high, with 37 gallons of water needed to make just one cup of coffee. Climate change is a concern, as one pound of roasted coffee generates the same carbon emissions as driving a car for 11 miles.

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