There’s nothing like that first sip of coffee every morning. Right?
Many people would agree with 2.2 billion cups consumed around the world every day.
But that kick of caffeine, especially when it comes from specialty coffee, is going to get a lot more costly, according to a new film by Communication Senior Lecturer Kevin Anderson.
Learn more at the premiere of Anderson’s “The Future of Coffee,” on Wednesday, September 24, 5:00 pm in the Integrative Learning Center, Room S350.
The film explores the big challenges facing the coffee industry, such as long-term sustainability. It requires a lot of resources for that cup of Joe. For instance, it takes 37 gallons of water to produce one cup of coffee, Anderson said.
Another big issue is climate change in the equatorial regions where the beans are grown.
“I had one guy from the coffee industry say, ‘as we know coffee now, I give it another 20 years. One person from Fair Trade said, I give it probably seven or eight more harvests,’” Anderson said.
He said coffee won’t disappear, but specialty coffee “will be more expensive.”
Anderson’s current and former students helped make the film. They served as camera operators, editors, lighting crew and sound recordists. One even composed the music.
UMass students received independent study credit. A few got enough experience to get media-related jobs afterwards.
He said students learned how to think on their feet. “You are problem solving all day long and adjusting and innovating.”
He was surprised that many of the students on his production crew don’t drink coffee.
“They’re not particularly coffee fans, but they’re fans of a good environment. They’re fans of fair trade and equitable labor.”
“The Future of Coffee’” is a pilot episode for a series about the coffee industry that will examine environmental, labor, globalization and water quality issues.
The film was made on a small budget. Anderson funded it himself, along with funding from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Communication.