2. [•陕西]
The production of coffee beans
is a huge, profitable business, but, unfortunately, full-sun production is
taking over the industry and bringing about a lot of damage. The change in how
coffee is grown from shade-grown production to full-sun production endangers
the very existence of, certain animals and birds, and even disturbs the world’s
ecological balance.
On a local level, the damage of
the forest required by full-sun fields affects the area’s birds and animals.
The shade of the forest trees provides a home for birds and other special(物种) that depend on the trees’ flowers
and fruits. Full-sun coffee growers destroy this forest home. As a result, many
special are quickly dying out.
On a more global level, the
destruction of the rainforest for full-sun coffee fields also threatens(威胁)human life. Medical research often
makes use of the forests' plant and animal life, and the destruction of such
species could prevent researchers from finding cures for certain diseases. In
addition, new coffee-growing techniques are poisoning the water locally, and
eventually the world's groundwater.
Both locally and globally, the
continued spread of full-sun coffee plantations (种植园)could mean the destruction of the rainforest ecology.
The loss of shade trees is already causing a slight change in the world's
climate, and studies show that loss of oxygen-giving trees also leads to air
pollution and global warming. Moreover, the new growing techniques are
contributing to acidic(酸性的) soil conditions.
It is obvious that the way much
coffee is grown affects many aspects many aspects of life, from the local
environment to the global ecology. But consumers do have a choice. They can
purchase shade-grown coffee whenever possible, although at a higher cost. The
future health of the planet and mankind is surely worth more than an
inexpensive cup of coffee.