Glass Half-Empty

The United Nations climate change negotiations are often fuelled by political action, or someone would say inaction, and caffeinated beverages. Some would argue that outcomes are directly linked to progress within the negotiation texts and political diplomacy. But, really, the lynch pin behind the victories can be linked to: beer, wine, cocoa, coffee, tea, and water.

Unfortunately, these six essential beverages at COP are at risk as a result of climate change.

1) Beer

When is comes to climate change, beer fans should be on alert. Producing top-notch beer requires clean water, quality barely, and hops. Extreme drought, countered by heavy rains, in key production areas around the world have affected barley crops. Less barely, means less beer.

Negotiators for China, the United States, Brazil, Russia and Germany best take note. As the top five beer producing nations in the world, and less than ambitious within the UNFCCC, the hit to beer production would be a sobering reality.

2) Wine

Wine barrels may no longer be filled in some regions of the world at the rate the climate is shifting. The growing process for a grape is very sensitive, requiring specific temperatures and moisture levels. Renowned wine growing regions have already experienced changes in growing patterns.

In 2015, the negotiations will be held in Paris, France, the premier wine producing country, a country already under threat. The thought of wine shortages at COP21 is enough to drive anyone to a glass of sauvignon blanc.

3) Cocoa

Curling up after a long day at COP19 won’t be the same without a cup of cocoa in hand. Changing climates have resulted in worldwide cocoa shortages particularly in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Together, these two West African countries produce half of the world’s chocolate. Rising temperatures and a difference in rainfall amounts will mean that the cocoa tree won’t be able to produce as much fruit that chocolate is made from.

4) Coffee

Delegates will be more apt to fall asleep in a plenary without this popular caffeine fix. The lifeline for many at COP, coffee beans are in danger.

Coffee production is down in peak growing countries, including Colombia, the second largest grower of the high-end Arabica bean. To ripen properly and retain the best taste, coffee plants need a perfect blend of temperature, rainfall, and periods of dry weather. Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall has led to a dramatic decrease in production in Colombia. This trend is being reflected worldwide.

5)Tea

Say goodbye to an afternoon cup of tea. Erratic weather patterns have resulted in smaller crops and increased cases of pests and disease. The strength and flavor of tea crops has also changed.

6) Water

Let us not forget water, the most import beverage of all. Ironically, finding water stations in the COP19 conference centre has become a bit like searching for the fountain of youth; you’ll get lost and come up empty.

Unfortunately, this is similar to clean water availability around the world. Only two per cent of water worldwide is fresh. A warming planet is causing polar ice, a large portion of fresh water, to melt and become seawater. Fresh water availability around the world will vary greatly regionally and reflect the degree of disturbance to the water cycle in the area.

It should be mentioned that water is essential to the growing and production of every other beverage listed. Climate change, coupled with a growing worldwide population, means that fresh water is quickly becoming a scarce necessity.

The vulnerability of these staples only skims the list of crops and products that have been and will continue to be touched by climate change. All COP woes aside, there is the direct economic aspect to consider with climate change and regional cash crops. The areas where these products are grown can conceivably change, however the void they will leave in peak regions will be devastating economic impact.

By Holly Jones, drawing by Mim DiNapoli.