Last year, Americans spent more than $22 billion on chocolate. But the tasty treat comes at a far greater cost than this.
That's because farmers often cut down trees in the rainforest when they need more land to plant cacao trees. This contributes to climate (气候) change. In turn,climate change hurts cacao crops (产量). This puts chocolate at risk. But experts are developing solutions to ensure its future.
Chocolate comes mainly from the Cocoa Belt, a narrow piece of land along the equator. In the Cocoa Belt, it is hot and rainy. The conditions are perfect for growing cacao. But in recent years, climate change has a bad influence on the weather in the Cocoa Belt. As a result, cacao trees produce fewer beans. Climate change has also led to the spread of disease that harms trees.
In 2013, researchers studied the changing conditions in the Cocoa Belt. They said that by2050, it will be harder to grow cacao in 90% of places where it is now planted.But Christian Bunn of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture says chocolate won't disappear anytime soon. Plans to protect it are already taking shape.
One solution to the problem is cross—breeding (杂交). Scientists have developed new cacao trees that stand up to disease. Some even produce more cacao.
Weather stations will also help. Groups are building them in Africa. Around 70% of cacao is grown there. Information from the stations will help farmers know when to plant trees."Years back, farmers would follow farming rules that go with the seasons," Bunn said. "Those rules don't always apply anymore."
These fixes could help farmers grow more cacao on less land. That could help end the push to clear rainforest. That's good for chocolate, and a sweet deal for the planet."Everything has a side effect," Bunn said."We have to be smarter about our food."
