KUWAIT CITY, Oct 1, (Agencies): Coffee is a vital beverage for many people worldwide, but climate change poses a threat to its cultivation along the equator. The coffee industry, from farmers to coffee traders, is struggling to find solutions, but time is running out.

Climate change presents significant challenges to the global coffee sector and could turn one of people's favorite beverages into a luxury commodity. Zofie von Lübben from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) warns, "Studies predict that by 2050, suitable areas for coffee cultivation may shrink by half." This particularly affects countries like Vietnam and Brazil, the world's largest coffee producers.

Von Lübben believes that the challenges lie in the coffee plant itself, stating, "It's a small, highly sensitive plant that doesn't tolerate extreme heat, drought, or excessive humidity. It requires very specific shade conditions and nutrient-rich soil." She explains that even slight changes can directly impact coffee bean production and quality.

She cites Arabica coffee, which represents approximately 60% of the global market, as an example. Arabica coffee thrives at temperatures ranging from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.

The future of coffee production is at stake due to the pressing issue of climate change, and it calls for immediate action to ensure the survival of this beloved beverage.