Christian Aid warns that climate change is jeopardizing Valentine’s Day chocolate gifts due to rising cocoa prices and uncertain futures for farmers. Severe weather impacts cocoa harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with extreme temperature increases further complicating the situation. Urgent action is needed to reduce emissions and provide financial support to cocoa growers.
Climate change poses a significant threat to the traditional gift of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, according to Christian Aid. Erratic weather and rising temperatures in primary cocoa-growing regions like West Africa are driving up cocoa prices and leaving farmers uncertain about their future. The charity reported that cocoa prices surged by 400% due to extreme weather events and production challenges in previous years.
Severe droughts, floods, and plant diseases have devastated cocoa harvests in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which together produce over 50% of the world’s cocoa supply. Compounding these issues, unexpected heavy rainfall during Ghana’s dry season in 2023 led to plant diseases such as black pod disease. Consequently, droughts in 2024 significantly impacted food security for over a million people in the region.
A recent study from Climate Central corroborates these claims, revealing that the cocoa-producing regions in West Africa are experiencing increased temperatures due to climate change. Analysis indicates that cocoa seasons in Ivory Coast and Ghana now exceed optimal growing temperatures by several weeks each year. The 2024 climate projections anticipated an even more pronounced increase in heat in these cocoa-producing areas.
The adverse effects extend beyond West Africa, impacting cocoa farmers in other regions like Guatemala, where droughts are causing cocoa plantations to struggle. One farmer expressed her distress, stating, “The cocoa trees are dying, which are usually very resilient,” highlighting the immediate crisis already affecting crop yields.
To mitigate these challenges, Christian Aid calls for urgent action to reduce fossil fuel emissions and increase financial support for cocoa farmers. UK chocolatiers also report grappling with rising production costs, cautioning that small manufacturers could be pushed out of business due to these climate-induced economic pressures. Andy Soden from Kernow Chocolate emphasized the dire situation, saying, “It’s a nightmare. I don’t think any business involved in chocolate has avoided this impact, and it’s all down to climate change.”
Osai Ojigho of Christian Aid underscored the importance of cocoa farming for many impoverished communities, emphasizing the need for emissions reductions and targeted financial assistance for cocoa growers adapting to climate change.
In summary, climate change significantly threatens cocoa production, which in turn impacts the chocolate industry and farmers’ livelihoods. Extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations have led to soaring cocoa prices and crop failures. Immediate action is required to mitigate emissions and support cocoa farmers to ensure the sustainability of cocoa production and its associated economies.
Original Source: www.perspectivemedia.com
