How is climate change affecting wine grapes?

Wine-making grapes are increasingly threatened by disease, drought, floods, and wildfires, all of which have become more frequent and severe due to climate change. This can lead to grapes becoming more acidic, discolored, and having higher alcohol levels.

What challenges are coffee plants facing due to climate change?

Coffee plants are facing disruptions to their flowering and fruiting cycles due to extreme weather events, as well as degradation in bean quality caused by high temperatures.

How has climate change impacted cocoa bean production?

Cocoa beans have been hit hard by drought, affecting chocolate supplies, especially during peak holiday seasons in the United States.

Home / Environment / Climate Crisis Puts Wine, Coffee, and Chocolate Crops at Grave Risk

Climate Crisis Puts Wine, Coffee, and Chocolate Crops at Grave Risk

6 Nov

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Summary

Grape, coffee, and chocolate crops threatened by climate change
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection unable to consistently preserve growing conditions
Adaptation strategies essential to save crops and communities

Climate Crisis Puts Wine, Coffee, and Chocolate Crops at Grave Risk

As of November 6th, 2025, a new study has revealed that some of the world's most beloved crops, including wine grapes, coffee, and chocolate, are facing an uncertain future due to the escalating climate crisis. Researchers from Colorado State University warn that even an ambitious idea to curb global warming, known as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), may not be enough to consistently preserve the conditions needed for these luxury crops to thrive.

The study found that while SAI, which involves pumping sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight, could lower surface temperatures in some regions, it failed to reliably manage the floods, humidity, and other extreme weather events that are already devastating these crops. Wine grapes, for instance, are increasingly threatened by disease, drought, and wildfires, while coffee plants struggle with disruptions to their flowering and fruiting cycles due to extreme weather.