May 22, 2019 - The International Day for Biological Diversity 2019, was celebrated under the theme “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”.

“Humanity’s fate is tightly linked with biological diversity – the variety of life on earth. Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development and human well-being. It is crucial to the reduction of poverty, due to the basic goods and ecosystem services it provides.”
- UN

 

Our fate is tightly linked to biodiversity

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human wellbeing in the present and in the future, and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. According to reports released in 2018 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanisation.

 

What does this mean for Montville Coffee?

Our Sustainability Goals tie in closely with our aim to protect the biodiversity of the land we impact. Our two high influence areas are the property at the Roastery and the farms where we buy our coffee beans from. 

On the Montville property where the Roastery is located, we are lucky enough to be situated in the pristine hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. We have landscaped the Roastery with hundreds of native trees and at the back of the property, we share some of the space with beehives from Maleny Honey. 

 

Does Coffee affect the Biodiversity of our natural systems? 

Studies have documented biodiversity losses due to the intensification of coffee management. Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.

Certified Organic is protective of biodiversity:

  • Providing food and shelter for wild species found on farms and thus increasing them in number and variety.
  • Supporting high levels of agro-biodiversity.
  • Maintaining healthy soils and soil fauna, such as earthworms.
  • Reducing the risk of water pollution.

 

A collective is composed of individuals 

Every individual can make a difference. Small actions can create a ripple effect. We can only do as much as we can in our own sphere of influence, and when we allow those little actions to compile it makes ripples that can be felt from far and wide.  We have compiled some ideas that you can use to reduce the adverse impact on the environment and encourage local biodiversity. 

Plant flowers in your garden that invite 'Good Bugs'. Pollinators are the key to reproduction for most flowering plants which are foundational to the survival of many species on our planet. (Did you notice the Praying Mantis in the photo of our garden?)

Buy Organic - To be Certified Organic means the farmers and growers make a conscious choice to work with nature and care for our environment and those who live in it rather than rely on synthetic means. Take a look back at why we chose to Certify ourselves as Organic here

Stop spraying herbicides in your garden but instead encourage biological diversity amongst plant species and restore habitat in your yard. You can turn your property or your yard into 'Land for Wildlife' 

Get some Native Bee Hives. We love the hum of these little bees in the garden, and as a plus, they work tirelessly helping to pollinate our flowers. 

Be mindful of non-native predators. If your fur baby is prone to killing native fauna, it's a great idea to talk to your local vet to find ideas to reduce this threat. 

References:

1. https://www.cbd.int/idb/

2. https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/biodiversityday

3. https://www.greeningtheblue.org/event/international-day-biodiversity

4. https://www.un.org/en/events/biodiversityday/

5. https://www.ifoam.bio/en/core-campaigns/biodiversity

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18759777

June 19, 2019 — Kashmira Lal