Climate change is been making the news for years now, but do we know how much it effects every part of our life?
Sign of luxury and decadence, of wild parties and milestone celebrations, champagne is more than just a bubbly wine we sip on special occasions. It is also a symbol of lavishness and joy, transmitted to us from decades of Hollywood films and iconic photoshoots in glossy magazines.
Above all though, the champagne industry is a massive actor in France’s GDP – five billion every year – and, of course, in the country’s reputation as well. Now, after centuries of history, this liquid gold loved by most is in danger.
We don’t need an iceberg to fall into pieces to understand that something is wrong with our world. The signs of climate change are everywhere to be seen and the Champagne industry is paying the consequences of it as well.
This year, 2020, the Champagne region began their earliest ever harvest on the 19th of August. This is a month before their usual harvest. It might seem like nothing, but it’s a dangerous sign that our planet is boiling hot.
The region is committed to sustainability and it has been since 2002. In the last fifteen years, the carbon footprint decrease has been -20% per bottle of champagne. The efforts made by the growers are admirable but, unfortunately, not enough to prevent our soil from getting progressively hotter and hotter.
A life without champagne is possible, but do we really want it? I am personally going to stock up and try to reduce my carbon footprint, NOW.
Do you want to know more about champagne? The Comité de Champagne has created a free course for anyone that wants to learn more about the region and this fabulous wine. Click here to discover the course.
