GUATEMALA CITY — The countries of Latin American are well known for their coffee. Despite entering this profitable business later than other regions, Latin America is now responsible for the majority of the world’s coffee production. However, recent studies predict that by the year 2050, up to 90 percent of the land suitable for coffee-growing in Latin America will be lost to the effects of climate change.

The research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences was the result of the effort of Latin American and U.S. scientists. It is estimated that 73 to 88 percent of suitable growing land in the region will be lost, especially in the lowlands of Nicaragua, Honduras and Venezuela. This is the impact of an expected 3.6-degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature coupled with an 18 percent decrease in the bee population.

Scientists were particularly interested in studying the effects of climate change on bees. Bee species diversity is expected to drop by as much as 18 percent by 2050, which will impact the pollination of coffee crops. Study co-author Taylor Ricketts says “coffee is one of the most valuable commodities on Earth and needs a suitable climate and pollinating bees to produce well.” The fall in the bee population, along with temperature increases and shifts in the rain pattern and ecosystem, could make it very difficult to sustain coffee production.

Unfortunately, this news is not the only blow that the region has taken in regards to its coffee production. In recent years, coffee farmers have been plagued by roya, or rust, a fungus that wreaks havoc on coffee plants. The fungus can only survive in colder, drier areas, which is fortunate for farmers at present. However, with increases in temperature, fewer and fewer areas will be suitable for coffee-growing in Latin America.

The climate change that has taken place throughout the world has very real implications for the coffee farmers of Latin America. Those who depend on coffee production could find that their way of life is in jeopardy, as others have before them have already found. Since 2012, the coffee industry in Latin American and the Caribbean has suffered $1 billion in damages solely as a result of roya, which has negatively impacted the livelihoods and food sovereignty of those dependent on this cash crop.

Despite the current environmental situation, it is not all bad news for coffee-growing in Latin America. The same research scientists also believe that there will still be at least five bee species surviving in the region by 2050. This means, with crop management and sustainable agricultural practices, farmers in the area can continue to cultivate coffee and sustain their quality of life.

– Jennifer Faulkner

Photo: Flickr