Brazil's Urban Coffee Farm Fights Climate Change

Brazil's Sao Paulo Biological Institute, established in 1927, recently welcomed 1,500 new coffee plants to its urban plantation. This expansion supports ongoing research into developing coffee varieties that can withstand climate change and resist pests. The institute aims to tackle challenges posed by the coffee berry-borer beetle and coffee rust fungus.

Among the new additions are arabica varieties resistant to pests and fungus, alongside plants showing increased tolerance to drought. Approximately 300 of these new plants are specifically designed to handle water deficits, a crucial adaptation given future climate predictions. This research is vital for ensuring the sustainability of coffee production in the face of environmental pressures.