Yes, Coffee is Going Extinct. Here’s Why. - NO HARM DONE

May 31, 2021

May 31, 2021

Coffee is said to have been around at least since the 15th century, but research has it that your cup of joe may become extinct soon.

Is Coffee Becoming Extinct?

According to research 60% of coffee species could go extinct. There are 124 types of wild coffee of which 75 of them are at risk of extinction. Many of these wild coffee species grow in areas without conservation protections.

Majority of the coffee species going extinct are from African countries. The extinction of coffee in certain areas can lead to financial consequences. For example Ethiopia accounts for 3% of all global coffee production. While this number may be small, Ethiopia’s coffee industry makes up 60% of their export income and it supports 15 million Ethiopians.

Some other countries who will be heavily affected by the extinction of coffee are: Colombia, Burundi and India.

Why Are Coffee Crops In Danger?

If you’ve noticed, many coffee brands have been increasing their price over the years and it’s highly correlated with climate change. There are many threats from deforestation to plant diseases to temperature change impacting the survivability of coffee beans.

Experts estimate that 50% of the land used for growing coffee will not be farmable by 2100. Furthermore, with more intense rainfall pests can survive more easily, which leads to damage of crops and plant diseases.

Coffee Bean Farmer

What Is The Future Of The Coffee Industry?

Wild coffee is expected to run out by 2080, but not all hope is to be lost! Researchers found a few new locations that could continue to grow coffee. The Yayu Forest in Ethiopia, for example, could potentially serve as “long term storehouses for coffee genetic resources."

There are technological advances being developed such as plant breeding to “recreate” Arabica coffee. Through the breeding researchers are hoping to create a diverse range of coffee beans, which are more resistant to climatic changes.

As time goes on researchers could possibly find more new solutions.

What Does This Mean For You?

With climate change worsening and the global temperature increasing, there will be an increase in plant diseases in coffee farms. With many coffee farmers being poor it will be even more difficult for them to maintain high quality crops. This will lead to a decrease in quality and production of coffee worldwide.

With fewer coffee species and crops, coffee will become even more expensive and may end up tasting worse.

How Can You Help?

There are two main problems that are contributing to the extinction of coffee: climate change and lack of financing for coffee farmers to combat the change. An easy way to help out would be to switch to eco-friendly and Fairtrade coffee.

Luckily for you, here at NO HARM DONE our coffee is compostable and the farmers we work with are paid fairly! Some of our coffee is also organic. By supporting us you are slowing down the extinction of coffee and helping farmers combat climate change.

What are you waiting for? Make the swap now.

NO HARM DONE Compostable Fairtrade Coffee