If you think your daily cup of joe is immune to the climate crisis—think again! Climate scientist Sophie von Loeben says coffee is facing serious threats, and it’s not just from your overly enthusiastic caffeine habit. With coffee prices doubling over the last decade, the stakes have never been higher. Surprisingly, only two species of coffee—arabica and robusta—are commercially grown, and both are struggling to keep up with the unforgiving climate. So, if you’ve noticed your wallet feeling a little lighter after that coffee run, now you know why!
Enter von Loeben and her partner, Timothy Charlton, who decided that enough is enough. With a mission to save the coffee industry, they founded HyCoffee, putting the spotlight on wild, resilient coffee species like the Hibrido de Timor. They’re not just brewing coffee; they’re cooking up a revolution by importing these climate-resistant beans! Just imagine, your morning coffee could come with a side of climate impact awareness—and now that’s a brew-tiful thought!
But no one said it would be easy. With over 80% of coffee farms being smaller operations and many farmers living in poverty, von Loeben and Charlton are also working to ensure small producers can access international markets. It’s a tall order, but they’re diving right in, proving that love for coffee and dedication to sustainability can go hand-in-hand. Keep your eyes peeled, because this caffeinated couple might just be stirring the pot in the coffee world one climate-friendly bean at a time.
Ultimately, this isn’t just about saving coffee; it’s about understanding the journey behind every cup we sip. So, next time you reach for that steaming mug, ask yourself: what’s the real story behind your brew?
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