This story was originally Appear in Grist yes Climate table cooperate.
Only four West African countries are the foundation of an industry worth more than $100 billion. Cocoa sprout pods emit dozens of seeds in tropical countries of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria. After harvesting, these humble beans are dried, roasted and processed into something that is most loved around the world.
Chocolate has been mouth-watering for thousands of years, especially on Valentine’s Day, which is a clear symbol of love. But as the weather continues to increase the cost of candy as the weather becomes increasingly unstable, the symbol of dessert has become a symbol of something less romantic: climate change.
Two reports published last week found that warming is pushing temperatures beyond the best cocoa growth range in the world’s core supply countries, especially during the primary harvest season. The study reveals how burning oil, coal and methane bake the cocoa belt of the Earth and Chocolate prices soar.
“One of the world’s favorite foods is at risk,” said Kristina Dahl, vice president of science at the nonprofit Climate Center. “I hope to make cocoa cultivation more difficult by hearing about human activities,” said Kristina Dahl, vice president of science at the nonprofit Climate Center. , which may cause people to pause and think about our priorities as a species and whether we can and should prioritize action to limit future climate change and future harms this food we love very much.”
about 70% In West Africa, the world’s cocoa (Cacao) is grown in West Africa, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are the largest producers. Most of the rest grows not far from the equator (such as Indonesia and Ecuador). Best tree growth Rainforest conditions High humidity, abundant rainfall, nitrogen-rich soil and natural wind buffers. Exposure to temperatures above 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit can cause water pressure, hinder plant growth, and erode the mass and quantity of seeds produced by the tree.
Last year, warming was at least six weeks above that threshold in nearly two-thirds of cocoa-producing regions in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria. Disastrous gains,according to Climate Center Report.
The researchers examined temperature data for the region and estimated what might have been experienced in a world without human-induced warming in the past decade. They found that between 2015 and 2024, climate change increased the number of days each country experienced temperature, an average of two to four weeks per year. Most of these hot days are during the main crop cycle, when plants bloom and produce legumes. Warming also changes rain patterns, speeds up drought and promotes Devastating disease Like pods rot and cause soil degradation. Another new study Low pollination rates and above-average temperatures in Ghana were found to limit the yield.
