Coffee production hurts the planet. Scientists think they may have another way

Coffee production hurts the planet. Scientists think they may have another way

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world — but the surge in demand is threatening the planet, prompting environmentalists and scientists to look for sustainable ways to produce coffee. "Most coffee goes through a wet-milling process that uses significant amounts of freshwater to de-pulp and wash the coffee. Then the coffee is dried, roasted, shipped and brewed — each of which uses energy," said Bambi Semroc, senior vice president of the Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters at Conservation International. In the last 30 years, growing demand for coffee has led to a 60% increase in production, according to the . From deforestation to a high usage of water and energy resources, research shows that increased coffee production is destroying the planet. Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, saw deforestation of its , according to a report published by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. An estimated 13,235 square kilometers — equivalent to 2,429 football fields — was lost between August 2020 and July 2021, representing a 22% increase from the previous year. Coffee production also leaves a large water and energy footprint, with 140 liters of water needed to produce just 125 millimeters of