Latest news with #OsaiOjigho
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Beloved fruit faces devastating collapse as threat worsens for farms: 'What has been happening is death'
A new report suggests the future viability of the world's most popular fruit could be in serious jeopardy, according to The Guardian. The report, appropriately titled Going Bananas, was commissioned by Christian Aid and found that by 2080, there could be a 60% reduction in the area suitable for bananas grown for exports. There are many banana varieties, but almost all bananas sold to developed nations are Cavendish. These are chosen for their high yields, long shelf life, distinctive coloring, and taste. Because the global market is so heavily dependent on a single variant, Cavendish bananas are particularly vulnerable to warming temperatures, extreme weather, and disease. The authors of the report spoke to several banana farmers, including Aurelia, 53, from Guatemala, who said: "What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. So, what has been happening is death. Death to my crops." The Cavendish can be grown between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius and is sensitive to water shortages and flooding. Rising temperatures caused by pollution from dirty energy sources result in more frequent and severe extreme weather events that can destroy crop yields. Warmer temperatures also make fungal infections more widespread. Bananas as a crop were nearly wiped out in the 1950s by Panama disease, per Time, and the Cavendish became successful because it was a variety of banana more resistant to it, but it's hardly inconceivable that a new variant of Panama disease could emerge. Bananas are a key cash crop and food source for millions across the Caribbean and Latin America. Eighty percent of banana exports come from this area. Additionally, 400 million people rely on bananas for a substantial portion of their daily calories. What makes the problem so tragic is that the people on the sharp edge of the crisis had so little to do with creating it. For example, Guatemala is the eighth-largest producer of bananas worldwide, per World Population Review, but is responsible for just 0.052% of the world's harmful pollution, according to Worldometer. As Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's director of policy and campaigns, told The Guardian, "The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat." The study calls for a multifaceted approach to mitigating the future crisis. The first is reducing global pollution. The second is providing targeted support for farmers and transitioning to more just and sustainable food systems. Would you buy juice or yogurt made with bruised or misshapen fruit? If I couldn't tell the difference If it were cheaper If it were healthier I'd never buy it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Individuals can also help by shopping smarter, being aware of climate issues, and supporting local initiatives. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Sinar Daily
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Sinar Daily
Bananas under threat as rising temperatures kill crops
LONDON - Bananas are coming under increasing threat from climate change, with farmers saying extreme weather is "killing" their crops, PA Media/dpa reported. An analysis by international development charity Christian Aid released recently showed rising temperatures and climate-related pests are putting bananas at risk. It found that nearly two-thirds of the most suitable banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean - a region responsible for around 80 per cent of the world's banana exports - could be lost by 2080 due to climate impacts. Bananas grow in a temperature range of between 15 to 35 degrees Celsius but are also very sensitive to water shortages, meaning increasingly extreme weather is affecting the plant's ability to photosynthesise. Diseases such as fusarium tropical race 4 have also emerged as a growing threat in recent years, causing the loss of entire farms across Latin America. Christian Aid cited farmers from the region who say their farms are "dying," which in turn is affecting their income. Aurelia Pop Xo, 53, a banana grower in Guatemala, said: "Climate change has been killing our crops. "This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything. What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. "In the past, there was a prediction that this would happen in the future, but it has come earlier, and this is because we are not taking care of our motherland, our ecosystems, and this is very worrying for our kids, and especially for our grandkids." In light of the findings, Christian Aid is urging developed nations to reduce their carbon emissions to stem the growing impacts of climate change. It also calls for international climate finance to support banana growers and agricultural communities to adapt to the changing climate. Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's director of policy and campaigns, said: "Bananas are not just the world's favourite fruit, but they are also an essential food for millions of people. "The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat." Ojigho called on countries to use this year's deadline for new UN national climate action plans as an opportunity to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and ensure climate finance "reaches people in desperate need of it." Elsewhere, consumers and businesses are being urged to choose bananas certified as Fairtrade, which ensures farmers are paid more for their crops. Anna Pierides, Fairtrade Foundation's senior sustainable sourcing manager for bananas, said: "Without fair prices, banana farmers simply cannot make ends meet. "Fairtrade is committed to raising incomes, living standards, and the resilience of banana producers to enable them to deal with the changing climate and to continue farming. "One way businesses can support this is through our Shared Impact initiative, which brings buyers together to ensure longer-term sourcing commitments, greater transparency and more opportunities for banana growers to sell more on Fairtrade terms." Holly Woodward-Davey, project co-ordinator at Banana Link, which works across the banana supply chain, said: "The climate crisis and the associated biodiversity crisis demand a rethink of industrial food production systems, which depend on the use of increasing amounts of harmful chemicals. "Governments must continue to take decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ban the most toxic chemicals while investing in transitions to fair, stable, and healthy food systems." - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Bananas may vanish from export shelves by 2080, report finds
Listen to article Climate change could render nearly two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean unsuitable by 2080, threatening the world's most consumed fruit, according to a new report from Christian Aid. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, stronger storms, and fungal diseases are already damaging yields in key producing countries like Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia, the report said. Bananas are a vital food source and cash crop. Globally, more than 400 million people rely on the fruit for up to 27% of their daily calories. While 80% of bananas are consumed locally, the vast majority of global exports come from Latin America and the Caribbean—one of the regions most exposed to climate extremes. The report, titled Going Bananas: How Climate Change Threatens the World's Favourite Fruit, highlights that climate-driven impacts are already being felt on the ground. 'Climate change has been killing our crops. This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything,' said Aurelia Pop Xo, a 53-year-old banana farmer in Guatemala. 'What is happening is that my plantation has been dying.' Bananas, especially the cavendish variety, are highly climate-sensitive. They thrive within a narrow temperature range of 15C to 35C and require carefully balanced rainfall. Excess water and violent storms can damage leaves, weakening the plant's ability to photosynthesise. The lack of genetic diversity in the global banana trade, which largely depends on the cavendish, makes the fruit especially vulnerable to climate-related threats. Fungal diseases such as black leaf fungus and fusarium wilt are spreading faster under changing weather patterns, further threatening plantations. Christian Aid is urging wealthy, high-emitting countries to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and provide financial support for adaptation in low-income communities most affected by climate change. 'Bananas are not just the world's favourite fruit, they are also an essential food for millions of people,' said Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's policy and campaigns director. 'The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat.'
Irish Examiner
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Bananas under threat as rising temperatures killing crops
Bananas are coming under increasing threat from climate change, with farmers saying extreme weather is 'killing' their crops, according to a report. An analysis by international development charity Christian Aid released on Monday shows rising temperatures and climate-related pests are putting bananas at risk. It found that nearly two-thirds of the most suitable banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean – a region responsible for around 80% of the world's banana exports – could be lost by 2080 due to climate impacts. Bananas grow in a temperature range of between 15-35C but are also very sensitive to water shortages, meaning increasingly extreme weather is affecting the plant's ability to photosynthesise. Diseases such as fusarium tropical race 4 have also emerged as a growing threat in recent years, causing the loss of entire farms across Latin America. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB Christian Aid cited farmers from the region who say their farms are 'dying', which in turn is affecting their income. Aurelia Pop Xo, 53, a banana grower in Guatemala, said: 'Climate change has been killing our crops. 'This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything. What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. 'In the past, there was a prediction that this would happen in the future, but it has come earlier, and this is because we are not taking care of our motherland, our ecosystems, and this is very worrying for our kids, and especially for our grandkids.' In light of the findings, Christian Aid is urging developed nations to urgently reduce their carbon emissions to stem the growing impacts of climate change. It also calls for international climate finance to support banana growers and agricultural communities to adapt to the changing climate. Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's director of policy and campaigns, said: 'Bananas are not just the world's favourite fruit, but they are also an essential food for millions of people. 'The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat.' Ms Ojigho called on countries to use this year's deadline for new UN national climate action plans as an opportunity to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and ensure climate finance 'reaches people in desperate need of it'. Elsewhere, consumers and businesses are being urged to choose bananas certified as Fairtrade, which ensures farmers are paid more for their crops. Anna Pierides, Fairtrade Foundation's senior sustainable sourcing manager for bananas, said: 'Without fair prices, banana farmers simply cannot make ends meet. 'Fairtrade is committed to raising incomes, living standards and the resilience of banana producers to enable them to deal with the changing climate and to continue farming. 'One way businesses can support this is through our Shared Impact initiative, which brings buyers together to ensure longer-term sourcing commitments, greater transparency and more opportunities for banana growers to sell more on Fairtrade terms.' Holly Woodward-Davey, project co-ordinator at Banana Link, which works across the banana supply chain, said: 'The climate crisis and the associated biodiversity crisis demand a rethink of industrial food production systems, which depend on the use of increasing amounts of harmful chemicals. 'Governments must continue to take decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ban the most toxic chemicals while investing in transitions to fair, stable and healthy food systems.'
South Wales Guardian
12-05-2025
- Climate
- South Wales Guardian
Bananas under threat as rising temperatures killing crops
An analysis by international development charity Christian Aid released on Monday shows rising temperatures and climate-related pests are putting bananas at risk. It found that nearly two-thirds of the most suitable banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean – a region responsible for around 80% of the world's banana exports – could be lost by 2080 due to climate impacts. Bananas grow in a temperature range of between 15-35C but are also very sensitive to water shortages, meaning increasingly extreme weather is affecting the plant's ability to photosynthesise. Diseases such as fusarium tropical race 4 have also emerged as a growing threat in recent years, causing the loss of entire farms across Latin America. Christian Aid cited farmers from the region who say their farms are 'dying', which in turn is affecting their income. Aurelia Pop Xo, 53, a banana grower in Guatemala, said: 'Climate change has been killing our crops. 'This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything. What is happening is that my plantation has been dying. 'In the past, there was a prediction that this would happen in the future, but it has come earlier, and this is because we are not taking care of our motherland, our ecosystems, and this is very worrying for our kids, and especially for our grandkids.' In light of the findings, Christian Aid is urging developed nations to urgently reduce their carbon emissions to stem the growing impacts of climate change. It also calls for international climate finance to support banana growers and agricultural communities to adapt to the changing climate. Osai Ojigho, Christian Aid's director of policy and campaigns, said: 'Bananas are not just the world's favourite fruit, but they are also an essential food for millions of people. 'The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat.' Ms Ojigho called on countries to use this year's deadline for new UN national climate action plans as an opportunity to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and ensure climate finance 'reaches people in desperate need of it'. Elsewhere, consumers and businesses are being urged to choose bananas certified as Fairtrade, which ensures farmers are paid more for their crops. Anna Pierides, Fairtrade Foundation's senior sustainable sourcing manager for bananas, said: 'Without fair prices, banana farmers simply cannot make ends meet. 'Fairtrade is committed to raising incomes, living standards and the resilience of banana producers to enable them to deal with the changing climate and to continue farming. 'One way businesses can support this is through our Shared Impact initiative, which brings buyers together to ensure longer-term sourcing commitments, greater transparency and more opportunities for banana growers to sell more on Fairtrade terms.' Holly Woodward-Davey, project co-ordinator at Banana Link, which works across the banana supply chain, said: 'The climate crisis and the associated biodiversity crisis demand a rethink of industrial food production systems, which depend on the use of increasing amounts of harmful chemicals. 'Governments must continue to take decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ban the most toxic chemicals while investing in transitions to fair, stable and healthy food systems.'
