CFR Education: Climate Change and the Coffee Industry
Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: September 8, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Biology, Economics, History
Authors: CFR Education
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video shows the effects that climate change is already having on coffee plants and coffee growers, and what can be done to combat these effects.
- Students will learn where coffee is primarily produced, the economic value of the coffee industry, and how climate change threatens the economic prosperity of individuals.
- This is the fourth section of the World 101 Climate Change module and includes a lesson plan for grades 9-12 and discussion guide for higher education classes is linked below the video.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video does an excellent job of covering historical, economic, cultural, and climate change-related components of the coffee industry, while being concise and easy to follow.
- The transcript, graphics, and maps in this video are helpful for students who may struggle with auditory processing.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should understand what climate change is and that human activity is increasing the effects of climate change.
- The teacher guide and discussion guide are for the entire Climate Change module, not just this singular topic on the coffee industry.
Differentiation
- Students in biology or geography classes can discuss why most of the coffee in the world is grown in the "Bean Belt" region mentioned in the video.
- Economics classes can find out what export is important to their own region and research the effects that climate change is having on this export.
- Students can choose a different plant or product that is important to them and research the effects of climate change on this plant or product.
- Students in business classes can discuss the economic impacts of climate change on individuals and corporations, as well as the driving force behind corporations like Starbucks getting involved in supporting coffee bean farmers.
This website from World 101 and the Council on Foreign Relations provides a great resource for teachers looking to teach their students about climate change and the effects on the coffee industry. The site provides an informative ~3 minute video that discusses how the coffee bean was discovered in the highlands of Ethiopia over a thousand years ago. A short discussion is provided about the effects of supply shortages caused by climate change through higher prices and lower bean quality. Also included in this resource is a lesson plan that includes discussion, handouts, and a presentation. This resource is well researched and encompasses everything a teacher would need to give a lesson on the effects of climate change on coffee bean production.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
