Key facts
- Climate change is threatening the taste and supply of British tea, according to a Christian Aid report.
- Rising global temperatures and extreme weather in tea-producing regions like Kenya, India, and Sri Lanka are altering tea's flavor profile.
- Disruptions to harvests are predicted to cause price spikes and unreliable supplies of tea.
- Smallholder farmers and tea producers are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts and rising costs for fertilizer and fuel.
- Christian Aid is calling for the development of more resilient tea plants and enhanced irrigation.
A new report from Christian Aid highlights the growing threat that climate change poses to Britain's beloved cup of tea. Key tea-producing regions, including Kenya, India, and Sri Lanka, are experiencing rising global temperatures and extreme weather patterns. These conditions are altering the flavor profile of tea, making it harsher and less consistent.
The disruptions to harvests are predicted to lead to price spikes, increased costs for consumers, and unreliable supplies of tea. Smallholder farmers and tea producers in the affected countries are identified as particularly vulnerable, facing direct climate impacts alongside escalating costs for essential inputs like fertilizer and fuel.
Christian Aid is urging for immediate action to address these challenges. Their recommendations include developing more resilient tea plants, improving irrigation systems, ensuring fair pricing for producers, and providing dedicated funding to help them adapt to the changing climate.