Tag: Poster C11

Coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities in the world, with Central and South America producing the majority of this product. This study explores the effects of climate change on coffee production in these regions and the implications this has for people whose livelihood depends on this commodity. Furthermore, it examines the potential benefits of Fair Trade farming practices for both coffee yield and coffee farm workers experiencing climate change. Large coffee plantations often exploit workers; paying them salaries below subsistence level. Climate change raises concerns about people who work on these plantations, for if increased temperatures adversely affect coffee production, their wages may diminish even further. This study analyzes research articles and secondary sources about climate change and coffee production, treatment of plantation workers, and the environmental and economic aspects of Fair Trade practices. Results indicate that increased temperatures due to climate change decrease coffee production, which leads to lower wages for plantation workers. Research also shows that Fair Trade farming practices mitigate the effects of climate change on coffee yield, and that Fair Trade economic policies ensure that workers earn adequate salaries. While climate change may negatively affect cof- fee production and farmers, Fair Trade practices combat these issues. These findings indicate that small coffee farms that use sustainable methods will cope with climate change better than large plantations.