Going bananas: New report shows how climate change threatens world’s favourite fruit

Mumbai: Bananas, the world’s favourite fruit, faces an uncertain future due to the climate crisis as regions in Latin America and Caribbean may not be suitable for growing the fruit by 2080, according to a new report published by the international development charity Christian Aid.

The analysis shows that extreme weather, rising temperatures and climate related pests pose a threat to banana producing regions, sparking calls for faster emission cuts and more support for farmers.

Currently Latin America and the Caribbean is responsible for 80% of banana exports which supply supermarkets around the world, according to a press statement.

However, the report highlights 60% of the most suitable banana growing areas in that region could be lost by 2080 due to rising temperatures and extreme weather.

For many people, a banana is not just an enjoyable snack after dinner, but a staple part of their diet and essential for survival. In fact, it’s the fourth most important food crop globally, after the usual suspects wheat, rice and maize.

More than 400 million people rely on bananas for 15% to 27% of their daily calories.

The report, ‘Going Bananas: How climate change threatens the world’s favourite fruit’, also features first-hand accounts from banana growers that work with Christian Aid partner organisations.

Osai Ojigho, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Christian Aid, said: “Bananas are not just the world’s favourite fruit, but they are also an essential food for millions of people. We need to wake up to the danger posed by climate change to this vital crop. The lives and livelihoods of people who have done nothing to cause the climate crisis are already under threat.”

“As part of the Paris Agreement, countries will this year submit new national climate action plans which will update their emissions reductions targets. This is a huge opportunity for countries to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy whilst also ensuring climate finance reaches people in desperate need of it. World leaders must not slip up,” said Ojigho.

Holly Woodward-Davey, Project Coordinator at Banana Link, which works across the banana supply chain, said: “Banana growers are facing ever more precarious conditions as a consequence of climate change. Water scarcity and increased temperatures lead to lower yields and pressure on the income of rural people. It causes more dangerous working conditions for workers exposed to ever increasing heat.”