It never ceases to amaze me how much denial exists about global warming. I was listening to the radio the other day and discovered that politicians continue their denial of this critical climate change. It’s shocking on so many levels. With the summer we’ve had 
around the country, how any educated person can claim that we’re not seeing the effects of global warming is hard to understand. Ultimately, it’s about money, which seems to be the culprit in a lot of denial and misinformation, whether we’re talking about the environment or health.
China invested a billion dollars last year to provide emergency water aid to farmers who were struggling to avoid the loss of certain crops. India has also seen its share of drought conditions in various parts of the country. How increases in the severity and frequency of droughts will impact the tea industry remains to be seen. With global warming increasing every year, it’s something that we’ll have to contend with.
I’ve been wondering how changing climate patterns might affect our beloved teas and tisanes. Recently, I wrote an article about rooibos for TEA A Magazine. As I was researching the piece, I discovered that, unlike other types of teas and herbs, rooibos is grown exclusively in South Africa and only in the western cape region of the Cedarberg mountain range. This area has been experiencing droughts in recent years, not unlike what we’ve seen in parts of the U.S. Without the benefit of this wonderful healing herb being grown in other areas, it makes it uniquely vulnerable to climate changes. It’s also surprising to hear that this herb hasn’t been grown elsewhere. Perhaps as the interest in rooibos continues to evolve, other continents will begin to invesitgate the feasibility of growing rooibos.
Michelle, were you able to find out why it is only grown in the Capetown area of South Africa? I’ve often wondered and haven’t read anything that explains it. There are similar climatic and topographical regions in other parts of the world, aren’t there?
I know Brendan Waye and others have tried growing tea in Canada and various parts of the U.S., so why not Rooibos?
I wasn’t able to get any explanation about why only there. Apparently the arid climate and specific soil requirements make growing else where quite difficult. It does seem odd to me however.
Hi Michelle. I also find this both incomprehensible, and deeply disturbing. In Australia the wine industry is quite well advanced in planning for global warming. The leading scientific organisation has worked with them to forecast likely climatic changes and the industry has then been buying up land in new areas and planting it to prepare for when their current vineyards are no longer able to produce. French producers are also deeply concerned, however they have less flexibility in what they can do about it in terms of moving. This is occurring across all sectors of agriculture in Australia, ironically at the same time as our politicians deny that global warming is real (they are owned by the mining industry).
Every week here in Taiwan we meet with tea producers and every time we ask them about their thoughts on and preparation for global warning. I am growing increasingly concerned that every time we do the response is basically a blank look and a distinct lack of concern. I will not enjoy a world without top quality tea!
we are divided into mindless crowds and conscious people and balance is tilting unfavourably – so nature will correct itself – for which scientists have already started preparations by storing the seeds in polar regions – hope that the next generation of creatures who will rule earth after we become extinct will find those seeds and tea will be known again..Lipton bothered for such survival and got his brand famous..why not us..
This is an important post Michelle and quite disturbing to think about. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I’m hoping that the reason it is not being grown elsewhere is that no one has yet put the time and energy into investigating and experimenting with exploring other, comparable regions to grow it. It wasn’t all that long ago, just a blip on the historical timeline, when people thought Camellia sinensis could only be grown in China. It would be a tragedy to loose such a precious resource.
David – I had not given thought to other industries, such as wine. It is shocking that they’re not sufficiently forward thinking to be exploring options about the climate change. It’s amazing to me how much denial continues to be present. Rajiv – I”m glad to hear that the scientific community is taking responsible action by storing seeds. I applaud your philosophy that nature will correct herself. I hope we haven’t given her too much damage to contend with. I believe some world leaders are finally paying attention. Good point Sandy about tea. Perhaps this crisis will spark other countries to investigate this wonderful herb.