Futuristic Earth-Cooling Solution Not Likely to Protect Coffee, Study Finds

"New research published Nov. 4 in the journal Environmental Research Letters examined whether stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) - a controversial climate-intervention technology that would involve spraying reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to cool the planet - could preserve ideal growing conditions for various high-value agricultural crops, such as coffee, wine grapes and cacao. In short, the research team based at Colorado State University found that SAI is unlikely to reliably maintain necessary growing conditions amid ongoing climate change."

"Cooling Alone Isn't Enough SAI is designed to work by mimicking the natural cooling effect of volcanic eruptions, reflecting sunlight away from Earth. While the technology has been shown to lower surface temperatures, the new study reveals it cannot consistently maintain the complex combination of conditions that coffee plants need to thrive. Researchers modeled climate scenarios for 18 coffee-growing regions in South America and West Africa between 2036 and 2045, examining temperature, rainfall, humidity and disease risk."

""SAI climate intervention may offer temporary relief from rising temperatures in some regions, but it is not a guaranteed fix for the challenges facing luxury crop farming," study co-author Ariel Morrison said in an announcement of the publication. "Adaptation strategies tailored to local conditions, investment in resilient agricultural practices and global cooperation are essential to saving these crops and the communities that depend on them.""

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) aims to mimic volcanic cooling by spraying reflective particles into the stratosphere to lower surface temperatures. SAI can reduce heat but cannot consistently maintain the combination of temperature, rainfall, humidity and disease conditions required by coffee, wine grapes and cacao. Climate scenarios for 18 coffee-growing regions between 2036 and 2045 were modeled, examining temperature, rainfall, humidity and disease risk; only six regions showed improved growing conditions under SAI. Rainfall patterns may not be stabilized and could be complicated by SAI, leaving rainfall-sensitive crops at ongoing risk. Local adaptation, resilient practices and global cooperation are essential.

Read at Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine