Tea and Climate Change
Tea and Climate Change
Tea is the second most consumed beverage globally, however, the climate crisis is considerably affecting its production.
There is evidence of people drinking tea as early as 3AD, meaning tea culture is deeply ingrained in our world history. But, at present, the tea industry is at risk, as global warming has led to a lower yield and quality of crops. In Assam, where 50% of tea is grown, there has been a significant drought, leading to more pests, use of pesticides, and therefore more damage to our ecosystems.
Tea is grown in specific regions across the world, where the conditions are optimum to get the best taste possible. The recent and dramatic changes in temperatures and rainfall in these areas will have an increasingly considerable effect on the flavour of the tea produced, and will make it difficult to maintain consistency in taste and quality.
Look out for the Rainforest Alliance logo (above)
What can we do?
Small everyday actions such as reducing our waste and reusing and recycling items are positive steps toward slowing down global warming. However when it comes to drinking tea, you can also shop more responsibly to help the environment.
Approximately 17% of tea drunk around the world is certified Fairtrade, Organic or Rainforest Alliance approved. We are proud to say that we are all three! These certifications prove that our tea is farmed without using pesticides, chemicals and artificial flavours or preservatives, in a way which is better for the planet and its people.
Fairtrade and Organic have become household names and symbols, however you may not have heard of the Rainforest Alliance. When something is Rainforest Alliance approved, this means that it is produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental. Rainforest Alliance works to create a more sustainable world by developing and implementing long-term conservation and community programmes to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.
Another major contributor to climate change is food waste, which makes up a significant 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every day in the UK we waste 20 million slices of bread, 280 tonnes of poultry, 4.4 million potatoes and much more! Most tea leaves can be composted, however, many leading tea suppliers are still using plastic glue to seal their tea bags, meaning they will release microplastics and can never fully break down. Look out for tea bags that are declared as 100% compostable or biodegradable (like ours!).
Did You Know?
Our packaging is made up of recyclable cardboard and NatureFlex™ film, a material which looks and feels a lot like plastic - but is actually made from cellulose, using renewable energy!
As our planet is heating up at a considerable pace, the current state of tea farming will only be negatively impacted. Next time you shop, think about swapping your usual products for those which are Fairtrade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance approved, and biodegradable and compostable too. Just by making small every day switches, if you can afford to, you can contribute to creating a greater overall impact!
Sources: