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Disease Outbreak Threatens the Future of Good Coffee
Wired reports on a disease infecting coffee plants across Central America that could lead to shortages around the world. "Regional production fell by 15 percent last year, putting nearly 400,000 people out of work, and that’s just a taste of what’s to come. The next harvest season begins in October, and according to the International Coffee Organization, crop losses could hit 50 percent." The disease is called coffee rust, and it has been damaging crops to some degree since the 1800s. It's not known yet exactly why coffee rust has become such a problem now, but one of the leading suspects is climate change. "Since the mid-20th century, though, weather patterns in Central America and northern South America have shifted. Average temperatures are warmer across the region, with extremes of both heat and cold becoming more pronounced; so are extreme rainfall events." The fungus that causes coffee rust thrives on warm, humid air, and higher temperatures have allowed it to climb to higher altitudes than ever before. But another likely cause is the way in which coffee is planted and harvested these days: the plants evolved as shade-dwellers, but are now often placed in direct sunlight. They're also clustered closer together, which facilitates the spread of disease. "The integrity of this once-complicated ecosystem has been slowly breaking down, which is what happens when you try to grow coffee like corn."
Monsanto Coffee. A new Starbucks option. Kills the rust. Only problem: turns coffee blue.
---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
I refuse to believe that change is bad. Change is the one thing in life that we can depend on. Our constant companion. I embrace change of any kind. Besides I prefer Mormon Tea to coffee. As long as Ma Huang is not affected I will continue to bask in the warmth of the ever changing climate.
Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave.
This is just another warmist scare story.
The last time CO2 levels were at 400ppm was a very long time ago, way before neanderthals, at the time of homo erectus. Maybe it's not unreasonable to worry.
Why worry? First - the neanderthals are extinct, second - they didn't drink coffee.
(ducks)
Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
Millions of people roaming the earth in a state that is neither alive nor dead. All in search of caffeine; not brains.
Cheers,
Dave
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty.
Ben
I like being a "self-important, hippie, too-cool-for-you douchebag".
Come join us,
it's only $5.
You clearly can't tell good coffee from bad coffee. My pet civet could teach you a few things.
So angry! You should cut your coffee consumption.
Yet another problem with java.
It's what I do when I can't get to sleep. ;)
I always called them Charbucks - I guess we have the same opinion about their coffee roasting skills.