Is Central America’s Coffee at Risk?

If you value that morning cafecito and the livelihood of millions, start recycling! A new report by the Climate Institute predicts that drastic changes in global weather patterns will cut the area of suitable coffee-growing land in half. Half! This loss in arable land will leave 120 million coffee growers worldwide jobless. 

Though these statistics sound sudden, the signs of decline are already apparent. In 2012 and 2013 alone high temperatures caused coffee leaf rust in half of Central America’s, resulting in over $500 million in damages, the dismissal of 350,000 people, and the loss of over 85% of Guatemala’s coffee. 

Though the severity and rate of land loss will vary by region, the report suggests that countries like Nicaragua could lose the vast majority of its coffee growing lands by 2050. So what will you do to help?