The White-Cheeked Gibbons, like many animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, are part of a species Survival Plan coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). These wonderful creatures are endangered due to the loss of their natural habitat in the canopy layers of Tropical Rain Forests in Laos, Southern China and Vietnam.
Tropical Rain Forests – home to the most diverse plant and animal species in the world – are being burned and cleared to make way for coffee plantations. The destructive process of plantation-style growing causes huge environmental problems – and more global greenhouse gas emissions than every car, truck SUV and train on the planet combined.
What can be done?
Small-scale coffee growers in these same areas have long benefitted from shaded farms. When sown in the shade, coffee plants require little care and can be grown together with fruit-trees and other shade tolerant crop-yielding plants. Shade-grown coffee is the product of healthy intact forests that are crucial to stabilize climate change.
As consumers we vote for change through our purchasing power. Look for fair-trade, organic and shade-grown certification on your coffee. With every cup you’ll be preserving the Tropical Rain Forests, supporting small-scale farmers – and you’ll be amazed by the incredible taste!
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