How your morning cup of coffee impacts planet's ecology
Even one cup of coffee every morning has an impact on the environment (photo: Freepik)
Every day, people drink more than two billion cups of coffee around the world, and experts predict that demand for coffee could triple by mid-century. Have you ever wondered what impact your morning cup of coffee has on the environment?
RBC-Ukraine has looked into this issue and offers you conclusions that will make you more responsible.
Which countries drink the most coffee
Coffee consumption is highest in Europe and North America. In the US, 66% of adults drink coffee daily - more than any other beverage, including water - and in the UK, coffee has become as popular as tea.
However, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries are the most coffee-consuming, with the Dutch, Finns, and Swedes consuming 8.3 kg, 7.8 kg, and 7.6 kg of coffee per person in 2020, respectively. By comparison, Italians consumed 4.7 kg and Americans 3.5 kg during the same period.
How coffee production harms environment
Although coffee is grown in more than 70 countries, almost 75% of the world's harvest comes from the top five producing countries: Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These countries are located in the “bean belt” - a strip of land between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, where conditions, at least for the moment, are ideal for growing coffee.
Today, 60% of the land that will be suitable for coffee cultivation in 2050 is covered by forests - but only 20% of it is under any formal protection.
Coffee processing also requires significant amounts of fresh water to remove the pulp and rinse the beans before roasting. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes 140 liters of water to produce 125 ml of coffee. That's more than it takes to produce the same amount of wine and almost ten times more than it takes to produce the same amount of tea.
As coffee tastes in the Nordic countries become more sophisticated, roasters are abandoning cargo ships and importing fresher coffee by air, which emits about 100 times more CO2 per kilometer.
How to become a more responsible coffee consumer
Buy certified coffee
Coffee certifications can help you find coffee that is produced using farming practices that meet standards for environmental, social, or economic sustainability. There are many certifications to choose from, but some of the most respected certifications are Fairtrade, Alliance, 4C, and Smithsonian Bird Friendly.
Know the origin of your coffee
Read the labels carefully or contact your favorite roaster/coffee shop via social media and find out if their coffee is grown in the shade or the sun. Do the farms use chemical pesticides and fertilizers? Are there any social or environmental initiatives in place?
Consider your milk choices
Dairy production is second only to meat in terms of its impact on the climate, so it's worth considering the entire contents of your cup. Studies show that the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a standard latte are two to four times higher than those of a standard espresso. If you can't give up milk, you can reduce its climate impact by two-thirds by choosing one of the many plant-based options.
Pay attention to the little things
Up to 70% of the environmental impact of your cup is related to the beans and their cultivation, so it makes sense to focus most of your attention there. But small actions make a big difference, so avoid non-recyclable coffee capsules and bulky pre-packaged drinks that require a disproportionate amount of fuel to transport.
Unfortunately, it's not just coffee that has a bad impact on the environment - forest fires are also devastating the Arctic Circle.
If you are interested in environmental issues, read our article on why Ukraine needs an energy transition.
Sources: Coffee and Climate magazine, TED talks.
