Normal temperature and humidity conditions could increase the incidence and severity of coffee rust, especially in the areas of Honduras, Guatemala, southern Mexico and Nicaragua.
The Climate and Agricultural Health Bulletin, by the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health, shows the outlook for the climate in the coming months, and details the impact that humidity and rainfall conditions could have on crops and agricultural activity in Central America.
A study by the Smithsonian Institute predicts that by 2050 the areas suitable for coffee cultivation in Latin America will have been reduced by 73-88%.
From a report by the Smithsonian Institute:
Areas in Latin America suitable for growing coffee face predicted declines of 73-88 percent by 2050. However, diversity in bee species may save the day, even if many species in cool highland regions are lost as the climate warms.
An increase has been foreseen in diseases affecting coffee crops in September and October, due to the transition of from severe drought to above normal rainfall.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture:
San Jose, September 12, 2016 (IICA).The transition from severe drought to rainfall above normal that occurred between 2014 and 2015 put Central American countries on alert, as they could face a surge in diseases affecting coffee crops, such as rust and 'ojo de gallo' in some areas of the region.
According to beekeepers, climate change, a possible new pest already present in Nicaragua and unfair competition are the factors affecting the sector's performance.
In 2013 a 7.8% increase was reported in the number of kilos produced compared to the year 2012. However, industry members say that for the next harvest they expect a decline in production levels due to the negative effects of climate change and other factors.
The identification of the complete sequence of the 22 chromosomes of Arabica coffee can be used as a basis for improving other coffee varieties and their adaptation to climate change.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
ARMENIA, Colombia - Today the complete sequence of the 22 chromosomes of coffee has been announced which aims to accelerate the process of selecting plants that respond to local climatic conditions and the specific needs of coffee farmers. The information available for public access, was announced to delegates from various coffee producing countries within the framework of the second regional workshop on climate change and coffee growing in the Conference of the Association for Science and Information on Coffee.
Projections are that Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua will register the largest deficit of rainfall in the region between August and October.
From a statement issued by the Regional Committee for Water Resources of the Central American Integration System:
XLII Central America Climate Forum
The rain deficit will continue to hit the Central American region in the next three months (August, September and October), concluded yesterday climatologists and meteorologists at the Climate Forum which took place in our country.
Producers are predicting lower production and an increase in costs because of the effects of El Niño, estimating a 15% drop in milk production in September and October.
The National Association of Milk Producers of Costa Rica (Proleche) does not believe that the end consumer prices will increase substantially, but estimates an increase in maintenance costs of farms because of climatic effects on soils.
Between 2008 and 2013 the size of areas sown with rice in the north of the country increased by 92% and in the Caribbean coast they declined by 86%.
The moisture level of the soil together with other related factors to climate and characteristics of each area have led rice farmers to shift the main areas of cultivation from the Atlantic region to the Northern region.
The Inter-American Development Bank will open an office in Guatemala to process climate change topics in Central America.
The announcement was made by Juan Alberto Fuentes Knight, who added that “the environmental issue has grown in importance in the regional integration agenda and in each nation’s investment plans”.
Fuentes explained that the office will be located at IDB’s Guatemalan headquarters, and that they see this development as the first step of a substantial increase in IDB’s support for environmental topics.
WTO and UNEP launch a report explaining for the first time the connections between trade and climate change.
The WTO/UNEP report on “Trade and Climate Change” published today examines the intersections between trade and climate change from four perspectives: the science of climate change; economics; multilateral efforts to tackle climate change; and national climate change policies and their effect on trade.
WTO and UNEP launch a report explaining for the first time the connections between trade and climate change.
The WTO/UNEP report on “Trade and Climate Change” published today examines the intersections between trade and climate change from four perspectives: the science of climate change; economics; multilateral efforts to tackle climate change; and national climate change policies and their effect on trade.
New report identifies hard landing for China, collapse in asset prices, gaps in global governance and climate change as key risks ahead
Sheana Tambourgi, Director and Head of the Global Risk Network at the World Economic Forum, said: “Global Risks 2009 builds on the work of previous years and highlights the need for concerted action to mitigate risks that now more than ever are global in their nature and in their impact, as illustrated by the financial crisis. But the same is true for other risk areas; global risks require a multistakeholder response and cannot be appropriately tackled in isolation.”
In Central America Costa Rica is at the top (with 48 in overall ranking), followed by Panama (62), El Salvador (103), Nicaragua (110), Honduras (115), and Guatemala (118).
The United Nations Program for Development published the 2007/2008 Human Development Report with the current ranking of countries under the banner of the general perspective of the fight against climate change: Solidarity in a divided world.
In times of economic crisis, the shift to a low-carbon economy is the smartest investment any country can make.
Achim Steiner, the eloquent executive director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), believes that Mexico could take a leadership role in the new "green" economy.
"UNEP wants to document new and creative efforts towards creating a prosperous green economy," said Steiner.
Costa Rica is the only country that has committed to make its economy "green" and to neutralize its carbon emissions before 2021.
"If there is a country that can do it, it is Costa Rica. We have been at the forefront in matters regarding climate change for years. A big part of our electrical network comes from renewable sources. And we are in the tropics.