| The End of Arabica! |

Climate change is a big problem for coffee, especially Arabica coffee. Experts think that by 2050, the area where we can grow Arabica coffee might be half as big. This means Arabica coffee is in danger.

1. Problems for Arabica Coffee

Needs Special Climate:

• Arabica coffee needs cool temperatures (18-21°C) and regular rain. It usually grows in high mountains.

• Climate change is making temperatures go up and rain patterns change. This reduces the area where Arabica can grow and lowers the amount of coffee produced.

Competing with Forests:

• As it gets hotter, Arabica coffee needs to be grown higher up the mountains, which means it competes with forests for space.

• In Ethiopia, rising temperatures have already destroyed many coffee plants, forcing farmers to move their crops higher up, which hurts the forests.

Old Coffee Trees and Pests

• Many Arabica coffee trees are old and produce less coffee. They also get sick more easily.

• About 4 million hectares of small farms need to be renewed and improved (called R&R) to keep producing good coffee.

2. Solutions

Adaptation Practices on Farms:

• Farmers should use methods like planting trees with coffee (agroforestry), conserving soil, and using new, disease-resistant coffee plants.

• These practices help protect coffee plants and provide extra income for farmers.

Investing in Research:

• Scientists need to develop new coffee plants that can handle climate change and resist diseases better.

• More research is needed to understand how coffee farming affects forests and how to make it more sustainable.

Supportive Policies

• Governments need to make policies to protect forests and support sustainable coffee farming.

• Policies to stop deforestation caused by imported goods are important to keep forests where coffee grows.

Collaboration

• Companies, NGOs, governments, and researchers need to work together to make a big impact.

• Projects like the Sustainable Coffee Challenge aim to renew or improve 1 billion coffee trees by 2025.

3. Comparison with Robusta Coffee

Better Adaptation:

• Robusta coffee can tolerate higher temperatures (24-30°C) and can grow at lower altitudes, making it more adaptable to climate change.

• Robusta is more resistant to pests and diseases and generally produces more coffee compared to Arabica.

Stability in Climate Change

• Robusta's ability to grow in harsher climates makes it a more stable option for farmers.

• Robusta can help offset the decline in Arabica production, meeting the growing global demand for coffee.

Climate change is a big challenge for Arabica coffee, needing many actions to protect it. Robusta coffee is better at handling climate change, making it a good option to help keep coffee supplies stable. Protecting and improving both types of coffee is important for a sustainable future.

( Source: Lang, Raina. "THE END OF ARABICA?" Conservation International )