Global Warming Is Killing Chocolate

Written by Brad Johnson, a ThinkProgress blogger

Global warming is killing the world’s chocolate supply, agricultural researchers find. Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana together provide 53 percent of the world’s chocolate, but warming temperatures and changing precipitation mean rapid declines in growing conditions over the coming decades. The new report from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture paints a dire picture for the future of the cacao tree in West Africa:

Half of the world’s cocoa comes from the West African nations of Ivory Coast and Ghana. An expected temperature rise of more than two degrees Celsius by 2050 will render many of the region’s cocoa-producing areas too hot for the plants that bear the fruit from which chocolate is made, says a new study from the Colombia-based International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

“What we are saying is that if we don’t take any action, there won’t be sufficient chocolate around in the future,” said Peter Läderach, the report’s lead author.

“Already we’re seeing the effects of rising temperatures on cocoa crops currently produced in marginal areas, and with climate change these areas are certain to spread,” says Dr. Peter Laderach.

The fossil fuel pollution that is heating up the planet also threatens the production of coffee, beer, and wine.

This article was originally published by ThinkProgress.

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Photo from Cesar Gonzales - Destino360 via flickr creative commons

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cathy N.

1:14PM PST on Nov 11, 2011

~Chocolate is the least of my worries~

send a green star

Nicole R.

8:13AM PDT on Nov 5, 2011

hah, awww I can't believe this! Chocolate lovers all over the world need to change this!

Brian M.

12:31PM PDT on Oct 13, 2011

How many crop failures will it take before the majority of human beings realize the depth of the trouble our species is presently facing? It all starts just like this. Next, you can expect pandemic outbreaks, widespread famine, and devastating wars over dwindling resources. Then, the end. If you can't control your population size or reduce your consumption of resources, there is no hope for any of us.

John F.

4:25PM PDT on Oct 9, 2011

sad if it does have benefits but most people, myself included, eat too much of it!

Ann G.

11:30AM PDT on Oct 9, 2011

I'm glad the chocolate is going away. Maybe then people will sit up and listen.

Shelby H.

9:03PM PDT on Oct 8, 2011

global warming will kill more than chocolate.

Brigid C.

10:03AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

Oh wow, not a happy situation

Ronan P.

1:01AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo not the chocolate please!

Tavis H.

10:14PM PDT on Oct 6, 2011

Congratulations, you've finally created a compelling argument for your cause. Global warming is still a pile of manure, but you've definitely discovered the fact that people act when they think that their pleasantries and luxuries are supposedly in danger.

Sheri P.

12:35PM PDT on Oct 6, 2011

Save the cocoa!!!