Starbucks’ Invests in Coffee Trees That Grow Faster and Can Withstand Climate Change

Coffee, especially the arabica variety that many of us cherish, faces a significant challenge from Climate change. Conditions ideal for coffee cultivation, mainly found in the “coffee belt” of Latin America, are becoming scarcer. By 2050, we could see a 50% reduction in areas suitable for coffee growth due to rising temperatures. This could spell trouble for many countries currently flourishing in coffee cultivation but might benefit a few new ones.

Source: FRANCE 24 English/YouTube

Starbucks, one of the world’s leading coffee retailers, isn’t just waiting around to see how things play out. The company purchases roughly 3% of the world’s coffee and is actively investing in creating new arabica varietals that can withstand a warming planet. For over a decade, Starbucks’ agronomists have been busy breeding various coffee trees. Their goal? Find those that produce ample fruit quickly, and are resistant to the coffee leaf rust disease, which climate change exacerbates.

After extensive research and testing, Starbucks has identified six promising varietals. Not only do these new breeds meet the taste standards of Starbucks, but some can also be harvested in a two-year cycle, rather than the usual three or four years. This means farmers can produce more coffee in less time.

The company has made these findings accessible to farmers through a catalog at Starbucks’ Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm in Costa Rica. The catalog offers insights into each varietal’s flavor and essential growing details.

However, this isn’t just about a single company’s interests. Starbucks’ nearly 36,000 outlets worldwide source coffee from around 400,000 farmers in 30 countries. The changing climate affects all of them, and solutions benefiting the larger community are essential.

While Starbucks’ efforts are commendable, the wider challenge remains. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to Climate change impacts on coffee. Some experts believe a shift from industrialized coffee farming to a more forest-centric model is essential to Support a healthy ecosystem.

Nevertheless, as we sip our morning cup, it’s reassuring to know that efforts are being made to secure the future of our beloved brew.

Solution Not Pollution by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

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