Caffeine and conservation: Seacology partners with local coffee growers to safeguard island forests
Around the world, more than a billion people enjoy a daily cup of coffee. (In fact, that morning pick-me-up contributed to the words you’re reading right now.) But historically, coffee cultivation has caused a lot of damage to natural ecosystems. Seacology is working with small-scale coffee bean growers to make their island operations as sustainable as possible.
Coffee thrives in warm climates, and some of the best conditions for growing it are found on tropical and subtropical islands. Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest producer, exporting more than a billion pounds of coffee beans annually. Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, and many other island nations also have significant coffee industries.
The enormous demand for coffee beans creates opportunity for growers, but also puts severe pressure on local ecosystems. On many islands, land has been cleared to make way for large coffee plantations, displacing native plants and animals and accelerating erosion. Fertilizers and other runoff from coffee production pollute rivers and streams. Deforestation is also a major driver of climate change, which negatively impacts the livelihoods of island communities worldwide—including their coffee producers.
A clean cup of Java
The Indonesian island of Java is so deeply associated with coffee that “Java” is common American slang for coffee. And for good reason—the high-quality coffee grown in the island’s rich volcanic soil has been world-renowned since the crop was introduced to Indonesia more than 300 years ago.
A community member from Cikidang Village plants coffee seedlings.
A new building funded by Seacology in Elang Cot Girek will welcome visitors and serve as a meeting place for famers.
In western Java’s Cikidang Village, Seacology is partnering with coffee growers to protect nearly 300 acres of sensitive forest, home to species of birds, primates, and leopards found nowhere else. We funded coffee seedlings that residents could plant in their yards and other areas outside the protected forest. Community members, using Seacology-funded monitoring equipment, are patrolling the reserve to deter loggers. They’re also harnessing their horticultural expertise to grow native trees in degraded areas. In appreciation of the community’s efforts, our grant also funded a new kindergarten for Cikidang’s children.
On the neighboring island of Sumatra, another recent Seacology project is helping the farming community of Elang Cot Girek protect more than 600 acres of forest. For four decades the village has resisted pressure from large agribusiness interests to clear this land for oil palm and sugar plantations, which would likely result in severe flooding. Small-scale coffee farming around the village has helped the local people generate much-needed income and resist pressure from outside developers.
Our project bolstered the farmers’ operations by funding 3,000 new seedlings and other supplies, while also helping them diversify their income through support for growing ecotourism in the area. We also funded a GPS system, drone, and other equipment that helps the villagers monitor the protected area and keep intruders away.
Lattes for lemurs
With more than 90% of its species found nowhere else on Earth, Madagascar is an ecological treasure. Its misty highlands, dry spiny forests, and sprawling savannahs are home to unique and fascinating wildlife including brilliantly colored chameleons, the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle, and the island’s iconic and endangered lemurs. Unfortunately severe poverty has fueled widespread destruction of these creatures’ habitats.
As is typical for a Seacology project, our partnership with the people of Ambalaomby Commune, in Madagascar’s eastern highlands, addresses both the economic wellbeing of local people and the health of their environment. We’re helping four villages bolster protections for nearly 20,000 acres of the mountainous terrain, home to 10 species of lemurs, two of which are critically endangered.
Outside experts in coffee cultivation are helping farmers raise crops on land that was already cleared, interspersed with native plants that will help revitalize the soil. And Seacology funded a new school for the kids of all four communities, giving them the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that can lead to more sustainable livelihoods.
Residents from Ambalaomby Commune received agricultural training through the project.
Villagers build Ambalaomby Commune's new school.
Sustainable sipping
The greener beans made possible by these projects represent a small but meaningful part of Seacology’s work to protect island forests around the globe. We encourage our fellow coffee enthusiasts to be mindful about where and how their beans are sourced—when you can, support producers who prioritize sustainability and empower local communities.