The race to save coffee
A world without coffee
Coffee can only adapt by moving higher up the mountain, and in doing so moves into an ever more inaccessible, fragile and hostile environment.
The Devil’s Cup documents that in Europe when coffee was first introduced, it was the drink of the rich. Coffee will revert to what it once was, the drink of the very rich, ironically the very people who are accruing wealth through destroying the planet.
Coffee resides on a very narrow genetic base.
One reason why the work by Kew Gardens and Union in Yayu Forest is so important, not only important in helping to safeguard an important forest but help safeguard the wild coffee trees which are a vital genetic reservoir.
But if we are serious, we have to support coffee roasters like Union who engage in direct trade, money goes back to farmers, encouragement to protect the trees and work on reafforestation.
But even more important, we have to deal with climate chaos.
This year, not yet ended, is likely to be one of the warmest on record.
As I write, yet another round of climate talks, corrupt politicians fiddling whilst the planet burns.
Polar bears dying, polar caps melting, a succession of hurricanes devastating the Caribbean, bleaching and die back of coral reefs, projections of the near future of coastal cities under water, it all has no effect, there is a disconnection from our lifestyle.
Could it be denial of coffee, will be the jolt that makes us finally act?
