The recently concluded Davos summit in Switzerland focused on a number of key themes, including artificial intelligence, conflict and uncertainty, climate change and economy. Leaders from different fields gathered in the town to discuss the pressing challenges.
But the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting has often faced criticism for its elite and expensive nature. This year’s edition triggered additional controversy, making ‘coffee and climate change’ trend across the globe. Here is all you need to learn.
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‘Coffee and climate change’ clip lures millions of views
One video featuring elites at the Davos meeting discussing how coffee production contributes to climate change infuriated netizens after going viral on social media. Users of X, previously known as Twitter, besieged the comment section of a video featuring Hubert Keller.
The Swiss banker is heard speaking about how much CO2 coffee production puts into the atmosphere. The clip – uploaded on the platform on Monday – has already racked up more than 3 million views and innumerable comments.
Keller said: “Basically, the coffee that we all drink emits between 15 and 20 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of coffee.” Elsewhere, he also noted how there is an opportunity to reorganise the coffee industry in order to make it more eco-friendly.
Sarcastic responses pour in against Swiss banker’s clip
Tech journalist Tim Hinchliffe originally posted the clip. He said: “When he says production is ‘fragmented’, he is saying it has yet to be captured by corporations and centralised. The coffee farmers … are to be stripped of their livelihoods in the name of climate justice.”
Other users on the platform said it’s a clear attempt by climate activists to regulate an item people are fond of. “Now they are coming for your coffee,” noted X account ‘Wide Awake Media’, reposting Hinchliffe’s video. There have been several other responses to the clip.
Gad Saad, an author and scientist, provided a sarcastic response to Keller’s controversial statements: “Pets cause damage to the climate; cars do as well; having children is irresponsible because of overpopulation; eating meat is ecoterrorism; gas stoves are evil; and now coffee.”
