The UK could face a tea shortage, new report warns
The great British cuppa could be under threat from climate change as tea-growing countries face rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, a new report by Christian Aid has found.
Kenya, the world's biggest exporter of black tea, is suffering more floods and droughts than ever before. In fact, climate change is likely to slash optimal conditions for tea production in Kenya by 26% by 2050, meaning that trouble may be brewing for our favourite hot drink.
The UK and Ireland might drink more tea per person than any other country in the world, but the increase in rainfall is resulting in inferior quality leaves. As well as Kenya, other tea-growing countries at risk include India, Sri Lanka and China — the largest producer of green tea.
"This year the UK Government has a key role in overseeing the global response to the climate emergency," Dr Kat Kramer, Christian Aid's climate policy lead, told ITV News. "As host of both the G7 in June and the Cop26 climate summit in November, the UK can ensure that countries on the front line of this crisis can adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.
"With countries starting to announce improved climate plans, there is a unique opportunity to accelerate cuts in emissions and boost the finance needed to help countries adapt to the changing climate."
Richard Koskei, a tea farmer from Kericho in Kenya's Western Highlands, explained that "climate change is posing a real threat". He added: "We cannot predict seasons anymore, temperatures are rising, rainfall is more erratic, more often accompanied by unusual hailstones and longer droughts which was not the case in the past.
"If this continues then it will make growing tea much harder and life for us extremely difficult. Farmers like us are bearing the brunt of this crisis but we aren't the ones that have caused it. We small-scale farmers cannot fix this problem ourselves. This needs a joint effort from developed countries who enjoy our tea abroad."
The climate crisis affects people all over the world, which is why it's so vital we do what we can collectively to be the change.
Looking for some positivity? get Country Living magazine posted through your letterbox every month. SUBSCRIBE NOW
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
You Might Also Like
