1. Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Coffee Production
By: Mark Sonner

2. Worldwide Coffee Production
134.8 million bags of coffee were produced in 2008.
Brazil produced 51.5 million bags alone.
Vietnam produced 19.7 million bags.
One bag is equal to 60 Kilograms of coffee beans.
The worldwide coffee market is massive. In 1999 alone, one hundred and eight million Americans bought coffee. The average coffee drinker consumes 3.1 cups per day. In 2008, million bags of coffee were produced in the world. One bag is 60 kilograms of coffee beans. The biggest producer of coffee in the world is Brazil. In 2008, Brazil alone grew 51.5 million bags of coffee. Vietnam, second most productive coffee producer, is responsible for 19.7 million bags. This coffee travels globally and sold in the world market.

3. Coffee Market
Unfortunately this market is very volatile. Prices are constantly rising and falling dramatically. Prior to 1989, the International Coffee Agreement had price controls on the market. However, when the ICA ended, coffee bean prices were left to the hands of the market. Prices instantly plummeted to points where farmers failed to make profits. Except for a few years when drought has significantly decreased supply, prices have been consistently below the fair trade price. The fair trade price is set at $1.26, where it is determined farmers benefit and stay in business.
Market is very volatile, where prices are constantly fluctuating.
The highlighted blue represents fair trade prices where farmers can benefit.
Prices have been significantly lower than fair trade price.

4. Small-scale farmers
With prices so low, farmers are unable to sell at a profit.
Many farmers are forced to migrate to city slums.
Childhood education is hindered.
Small-scale farmers are most affected by the falling prices of their products. Without the market power to affect prices, these small-scale farmers sell the coffee at prices that are lower than the costs of production. They sink into debt, and many are forced to migrate to city slums. Family health, nutrition, and children’s education all suffer from this.

5. Economic Sustainable Coffee Products
‘Fair trade’ certified coffee can be purchased
Farmers are guaranteed prices that will allow them to make profit.
Certified coffees are labeled in stores worldwide.
We can help prevent this by purchasing economically sustainable coffee products. ‘Fair Trade’ certified coffee is one effective way. In order to be certified, farmers must be given a minimum of $1.26 per pound of coffee beans. Also, if world prices ever exceed $1.26, ‘Fair Trade” coffee pays farmers $0.05 per pound above the market price. ‘Fair Trade’ coffee provides millions of dollars to small-scale farmers, and prevents them from selling their coffee for a loss. Certified coffees are sold all over the world and specially labeled.

6. Environmental Issues
Sun-grown Coffee contributes to the destruction of forests.
Require a variety of chemicals like Insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
Sun-grown coffee increases soil erosion and chemical run-off.
Producing coffee also affects the environment. One main way is by harvesting sun-grown crops. Coffee originally was sensitive to sunlight, and required shade from trees. However, the development of sun-grown coffee drastically increases crop yield. One major problem with sun-grown coffee is that it requires a wide range of chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides. These toxic chemicals run-off and harm other ecosystems. Also, sun-grown coffee contributes to deforestation. Hundreds of acres of forests are cut down in order to grow up massive fields. Without a root system of trees, the soil easily erodes, and increases run-off.

7. Shade-grown Coffee Grown in cover of trees.
Provides a habitat for many species.
Including birds, reptiles, ants, bats and more.
Reduces deforestation and slows the increasing carbon dioxide levels.
Does not require as many chemicals and fertilizers as sun-grown coffee does.
Shade-grown coffee is an environmentally sustainable way to produce coffee. Just as the name describes, this coffee is grown within forests, where it originally was meant to grow. This method provides a natural habitat for hundreds of species. Residential and migratory birds, insects, bats, ants and more fit perfectly in this ecosystem. Growing coffee in the shade also reduces the destroying of forests. Third, this type of coffee does not require as many harmful chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. The vast ecosystem around the coffee plants nourishes the soil, instead of leaching it.

8. Environmental Coffee Products
‘Eco-OK’
‘Bird Friendly’
‘Rainforest Alliance’
Look for these labels on coffee bean products.
By purchasing environmentally sustainable coffee products, we can help take care of our environment. Labels on products like ‘Eco-O.K.’ ‘Bird Friendly’ and ‘Rainforest Alliance’ mean they meet special regulations to better our environment.

9. ‘Rainforest Alliance’ Certified
Strict regulations in order to be certified.
Mandates that coffee must be grown where forests are protected.
Workers are treated with respect and paid fair wages.
Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans must follow strict regulations. In order to be certified, coffee beans must be grown in areas where the forests are protected. Also, workers, must be treated with respect, and paid fairly.

10. ‘Bird Friendly’ Certified.
Also ensure that coffee is grown in forest locations.
Mandates that the farm protects species biodiversity to guarantee food for birds.
Coffee production must not affect the ecosystem.
‘Bird Friendly’ certifications also mandate that coffee beans are grown in forest locations. The farm must protect biodiversity of species in order provide food and shelter for birds. Third, coffee production cannot affect the ecosystem. This means all parts must work in harmony, in order to provide a healthy ecosystem for all wildlife.

11. Coffee on Campus
Starbucks and Conservation International are partners in efforts for sustainability.
They work together to support small-scale farmers.
Also support shade-grown coffee beans.
Coffee consumption at SUNY Fredonia is a great example of places where we can see sustainability efforts. Starbucks Coffee has been partners with Conservation International for ten years now. They work together to support small-scale farmers that practice shade-grown farming. The sleeves for hot coffee cups are made from 60% post-consumer fibers. Their cups are made with 10% post-consumer recycled fibers. This shows the concern Starbucks Coffee has with economic and environmental sustainability issues. By supporting shade-grown farming, Starbucks Coffee keeps up to 100 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere per acre of tropical rainforest that is protected. By 2007, Starbucks Coffee was buying 60% of its coffee from suppliers that follow strict guidelines to ensure fair trade. All this information is clearly labeled on every coffee cup. Students who consume Starbucks coffee are directly helping better the world both environmentally and economically.

12. Coffee on Campus
Buster Brown Bean Company sells coffee that is Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Cafés located in the Williams Center, Fenton Hall, McEwen Hall, and Mason Hall on campus.
Fredonia has another coffee shop on campus that supports the sustainability movement. Buster Brown Bean Company, which has many locations around campus, sells some coffee that is ‘Rainforest Alliance’ Certified. Buster Brown has cafés in the Williams Center, Fenton Hall, McEwen Hall, and Mason Hall.

13. Change
Buying Fair trade certified coffee gives millions of dollars to small-scale farmers.
Environmental friendly coffee reduces deforestation and provides a habitat for hundreds of species.
Drinking coffee that is officially certified directly funds the movement to make coffee production more sustainable. ‘Fair Trade’ coffee provides millions of dollars to small-scale farmers worldwide. This money increases education and contributes to community development. Buying environmentally sustainable coffee products that are certified, more trees can be saved, and hundreds of species and live in peace in natural ecosystems.

14. Sustainable Coffee Production
It is necessary to understand the importance of economic as well as environmental sustainability of coffee production. They are directly correlated, in that economic sustainability solutions such as fair trade coffee will help community development as well as environmental awareness. With Ecosystem friendly farming such as coffee grown in the shade, not only will we prevent further pollution from chemical run-off, but also we will reduce the deforestation that is destroying habitats and increasing carbon dioxide levels. As students, finding out whether or not we are consuming sustainable coffee is the first step. An increase in demand for these certified coffee products will only give producers more incentive to follow guidelines that better both small-scale farmers and the environment.