A new analysis found that climate change is harming coffee plants, making it harder to produce and more expensive to buy.
Climate Central, a nonprofit focused on researching and reporting facts on climate change, released its findings on Feb. 18, saying extreme weather in global coffee-growing regions likely contributed to coffee price spikes in recent years.
Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia are responsible for 75% of the world’s coffee supply. Climate Central said the five countries are experiencing at least 144 days of “coffee-harming heat,” and there would be 57 fewer days each year without the influence of climate change.
Coffee-harming heat, according to thenonprofit, is temperatures reaching past the threshold of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme heat can harm growing coffee plants and reduce their quality. Changes in the rainfall pattern are also a factor in the coffee plant’s growth, as it requires adequate and consistent rain.
The nonprofit said changing conditions threaten the amount of land available for coffee production. Without adequate adaptation, land for coffee farming may decrease by 50% by 2050, Climate Central reported.
4Warn Meteorologist Ashlee Baracy broke down the statistics. You can watch the full explainer at the beginning of this article.