Earth Day, Coffee, And You

When I was in elementary school, each year around Earth Day, our entire school would gather in the gymnasium, crowding in grade by grade, class by class, onto the bleachers. 

We’d then have presented before us any number of guest speakers for the occasion, explaining to us the importance of recycling, the need for planting more trees, and the detriments of littering. 

After the session was completed, depending on the grade level, we might go back to our respective classrooms to do a few worksheets, craft a project or two, or perhaps even go outside to collectively plant a tree or take a walk around the school grounds where we’d pick up trash and observe any budding trees and flowers gracing us with their presence. 

Even in high school, nearing Earth Day the focus was always on recycling and trash pick up, with the occasional tree planting and mention of power plants and air/water pollution. 

And, perhaps this was entirely appropriate in the 80’s and mid 90’s, but today’s Earth Day discussions seem a bit different. 

Why? 

Because the impacts of industry…of life as we know it, really…have been showing us a deeper picture into what our planet is now facing 35-40 years past my, or our, seemingly idyllic childhood years.

Unfortunately, we still find those childhood Earth Day themes to be monumentally relevant. In other words, folks still litter, recycling is still an incredible need, and our air and water doesn’t seem to be any cleaner.  

But, since those years, we’re now seeing even greater environmental impacts - repercussions really - of modern-day life on our planet. 

Droughts, fires, excessive rainfall, extreme temperatures, climate shifts, and other adverse weather events - these are a reality in our world now. 

And, should we dare be tempted to think “ah, this doesn’t affect me,” one look at a simple, though tasty, morning staple tells a different story. 

The fact is, we’re all affected when our planet is hindered…right down to our daily dose of coffee!

So, let’s take a look at Earth Day in a somewhat different light, examining the coffee industry and how recent changes in the environment have affected the world’s favorite beverage.

Then, stick around for a revisiting of those elementary school Earth Day exhortations where we’ll give those classic discussions a modern upgrade, providing you with some effective ways you can make a positive environmental difference in your corner of the world!

Environmental Changes And Coffee

Those elementary school Earth Day discussions from my childhood weren’t entirely off base by any means. 

But, when we look at the world as a whole, it’s clear that much of our planet is suffering…groaning if you will…as a result of how life is lived out on a day-to-day basis. 

In the coffee industry alone, this is abundantly evident. 

Coffee requires a specific climate for optimal growth. We know this, right? I mean, this is why you won’t find thriving coffee farms across rural southeast Indiana. 

Coffee is primarily grown in what many refer to as the Coffee Belt, an area covering the regions roughly 25 degrees north to 30 degrees south of the equator. 

This region has been perfect for growing coffee as the climate is typically warm and humid, and in many areas the soil is exceptionally fertile, especially in those places where volcanic activity has enriched the grounds. 

Then, those regions covered by dense rainforest also provide needed moisture, warmth, and shade for coffee plants to thrive. 

But, as Bob Dylan has stated in song, “the times they are a-changin’.”

In the last few decades alone, all across the Coffee Belt, temperatures have risen and rainfall totals have declined. 

These changes alone make it more difficult for coffee plants to thrive, but such differences amplify these difficulties as hot and dry conditions also have led to an increase in pests, like coffee stem borers, and disease, such as coffee leaf rust. 

As you can imagine, the decline in adequate growing conditions and damage caused by pests and disease is affecting the supply, and therefore the price of coffee. 

But, the industry in and of itself isn’t doing our planet any favors either. 

And, these impacts have actually made the entire situation even worse. 

I know we’ve detailed this process in other articles, but it bares repeating here:

Conventional, or mass marketed, coffee growing procedures commonly include practices of deforestation, where acre after valuable acre of rainforest and other lush regions of the Coffee Belt are cleared for planting rows and rows of coffee shrubs. 

This process not only disrupts the habitat, or home, for native plants and animals, it also exacerbates the greenhouse effect. 

Deforestation also disrupts the natural water cycle in these regions, negatively influencing rainfall patterns and degrading the soil for years to come. 

These disruptions in rainfall patterns alone have contributed to droughts and water shortages, then on the other end of the spectrum, they’ve led to floods and excessive rainfall. 

And, these erratic changes have made the process of growing coffee increasingly difficult. 

Unfortunately, deforestation is only one negative aspect of conventional coffee growing methods.

The use of harsh chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers has also had an incredibly damaging effect on our planet (and continues to do so). 

These chemicals contaminate waterways, further destroy soil integrity, harm native wildlife, vastly disrupt the ecosystem, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, etc. 

Moreover, the byproducts of conventional coffee growing methods combined with the overall weight of the damage we’re seeing to our planet’s environment (from numerous other similarly damaging practices happening all across the globe) have resulted in a shift. 

This shift has directly affected the climate, it’s contributed to extreme weather events, and to state it bluntly, it’s significantly impacting the coffee industry, which we’re witnessing in supply chain disruptions and price increases. 

But, wait! 

Before you put down your coffee mug and swear off java as an individual effort to mitigate such planetary damage, let’s make a few distinctions. 

First, everything we’ve detailed thus far does spell gloom and doom for coffee drinkers as the industry as a whole is suffering.

However, while we’re seeing negative impacts regarding supply disruptions and adverse growing region affects due to weather, etc. we have vowed not to be part of a problem, and instead contribute to solutions! 

What does this mean? 

First, at Lifeboost we approach our coffee growing methods with health in mind - body health and environmental health! 

In reality, the two truly go hand in hand, because when we grow coffee with our health in mind, our growing practices change drastically from conventional methods. 

And, when we grow our coffee with environmental health in mind, we produce a coffee that is not only contributing to whole body health, but improves the health of our planet as well. 

So then, how do we do this? 

Here’s a basic breakdown of the steps we take to ensure we’re taking care of the earth while also growing coffee that tastes incredible and brings health and wellness to us as we consume this beloved bean…

1- No Deforestation

We grow our coffee on small family farms or plantations. And, in doing so, our farmers are able to plant coffee shrubs amongst other vegetation, allowing each type of plant to benefit from the other. 

You’ll never find our farmers removing native plantlife. No downed trees, no removal of home or habitat to those plants and animals that depend on the climate, soil, waterways, and ecosystem of the region.

2- Improved Biodiversity

One byproduct of growing coffee the Lifeboost way is that not only are our farmers not removing natural elements of the region, but they are also in fact increasing the biodiversity of the entire area. 

When our coffee shrubs are planted amongst native flora and fauna, this actually attracts new pollinators, and those pollinators attract other insects, and those insects attract birds and small rodent predators, and those additions then attract other predators, and before you know it, the entire region is enhanced with an appropriate influx of diversity. 

The native plant life here benefits from these animal kingdom additions, and the result actually benefits coffee growth as well. 

Even the nearby plant life serves as a canopy of shade under which our coffee plants are protected from the sun at peak times.

Then, as these plants shed their leaves, this matter decomposes to enrich the soil beneath. 

This combined with animal waste and other natural processes allows the coffee cherries to be enriched with an expanded nutrient profile, resulting in a healthier bean.

3- No Chemicals

All Lifeboost coffee is sustainably grown, so not only does this entail the measures we’ve mentioned above, never disrupting habitats but instead improving the biodiversity of the region, this also means we never use harsh chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc, on our plants. 

When we grow our coffee without the use of these chemicals, we’re preserving our planet’s soil and waterways while promoting clean air. 

We’re also protecting plant and animal life in the region. 

And, we’re ensuring the safety of our farmers as well as the health of our coffee shrubs and the nutrient-dense, delicious coffee beans they eventually produce. 

Of course, if you’ve been a Lifeboost customer for long, you also know we take further steps to ensure the quality of our coffee by having each batch third party tested for mold, toxins, heavy metals, and 450+ other toxins.

4- Practical Processing & Packaging

Even our processing methods consider our planet ‘in the process’ as all of our coffee is spring water washed and sun dried naturally to cut down on water waste. 

And, our packaging is recyclable, including our convenient pods!

5- Earth Friendly Support

Aside from our growing, processing, and packaging measures which seek to support planetary health, we also support organizations with a similar goal and focus. 

First, we use EcoCart which serves to offset our carbon emissions. 

Then, we also support organizations such as The Rainforest Trust. 

The Rainforest Trust is near and dear to our hearts as this organization is actively preserving critical habits all across the globe. 

And, as most of our coffee is grown in the rainforest mountain regions of Nicaragua, we fully know the importance of preserving such areas - areas that, for instance, are home to the Turquoise Browed MotMot, the bird you’ve all grown accustomed to regularly seeing on the side of the bag of your favorite classic Lifeboost coffee roast. 

The Rainforest Trust has protected 54 million acres of rainforest across the globe to date, and without preserving or saving this land, there’s truly no hope for mitigating the changes we’re seeing in the Earth’s climate. 

Rainforests add needed humidity to the atmosphere, they absorb heat from unforested regions, and rainforests also store carbon. 

These forests act as a natural water filter for pollution and debris prior to waters entering oceans, rivers, and other larger bodies. 

And ultimately, these valuable areas serve as a stabilizer of the Earth’s climate. 

But, organizations like this simply can’t do it all. 

Sometimes it may seem as if the battle to protect our planet is an uphill one, but may we never underestimate what can be accomplished when we work together.

So, let’s close out our time today with that in mind, looking at ways you can make a positive environmental difference locally, in your corner of the world.

Environmental Changes And YOU

As we close out our discussion, let’s return to my elementary school reminiscences. 

The concepts most commonly talked about with children regarding Earth Day involve practical measures we can all incorporate in a collective effort to preserve our planet. 

But as adults, we know these efforts can be extended to make a greater impact. 

So then, how can you help? 

What are some things you can do in your own home and neighborhood to take care of our planet?

1- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We’ll start with the elementary school rule. 

We teach children these principles from a young age, so as adults, really, we’re without excuse. 

It’s not hard to see or imagine the amount of waste our planet is inundated with, and to mitigate this, we must all do our part. 

Reduce - To reduce the amount of waste you produce individually or as a household, be conscious of purchases, choose items that last longer or those made from recyclable or sustainable materials. 

Reuse - Get creative. Before throwing away items, seek to compost or repurpose anything you can. 

Recycle - Recycling is great, but these efforts are most effective when we sort our recyclables appropriately.

2- Conservation

We can all conserve water and energy far more easily than you might think! 
When showering, washing dishes, or brushing your teeth, keep it short and effective to conserve water. 

To conserve energy, try unplugging electronics when not in use, and give your air conditioner a rest from time to time while enjoying the calming effect of a nice, natural breeze cooling your home through open windows.

3- Sustainability

The power of the purse is a legitimate power each of us have, and when it comes to our planet, if we wield this power wisely, we can make a massive difference. 
How? 

First, when buying any given product, we can do a little research, ensuring we purchase those items which are sustainably made or grown, including those items which have little to no negative impact on our planet. 

Then, we can also choose to buy local whenever possible, shopping for local fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy, as well as other near-to-home sustainably made or grown products. 

Even your drinking habits can make a positive impact, choosing to skip convenience (single serve cans, containers, and bottles) for reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, food containers, and more. 

Then, we can even make a difference when we choose to forgo chemicals, skipping those artificial additives (thinking laundry detergent, soaps, cleaners, and fragrances) that can end up in our waterways and soil.

4- An Active Approach

Sometimes the best way to get involved is to personally be active, getting your hands dirty right where you live. 

And here, we’re actually not speaking metaphorically, we’re really talking about getting your hands dirty!

From planting trees in your neighborhood or community (with town/city cooperation) to cleaning up trash along city streets or in neighborhood parks, composting items from personal use, bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, walking or biking short distances as opposed to driving, and being informed and active in community efforts which seek to support the health of our planet, there are many ways in which you can actively take care of planet Earth.

5- Support And Educate

If you’d like to take things a step further, you can also choose to support organizations with a focus on environmental protection, such as the Rainforest Trust or the Environmental Defense Fund. 

(Actually, a portion of our proceeds from each Lifeboost purchase goes to supporting the Earth saving efforts of the Rainforest Trust!)

Aside from this, you can also seek to be informed, then supporting policies both locally and nationally which aim to promote environmental protection. 

And locally, you can even seek to educate those in your neighborhood about community clean up efforts, global initiatives, and more!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

References:

https://www.cafebritt.com/blogs/coffee-101/the-coffee-belt#

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.607555/full

https://bioprotectionportal.com/resources/coffee-rust-symptoms-causes-and-solutions/

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/effects-of/deforestation#

https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebites/chapter/a-bitter-brew-coffee-production-deforestation-soil-erosion-and-water-contamination/

https://www.carbonclick.com/news-views/the-environmental-impact-of-coffee-growing-and-transportation

https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/industries/is-coffee-threatened-by-climate-change

https://www.rainforesttrust.org/

https://www.rainforesttrust.org/our-impact/rainforest-news/5-ways-rainforests-mitigate-climate-change/

https://mychn.org/protecting-our-planet-and-your-mental-health/

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/earthday.html

https://www.rightio.co.uk/advice-hub/simple-ways-help-save-planet

https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/8-ways-keep-earth-clean.html

https://www.edf.org/