Environmental Damages

Cocoa farming in West Africa often leads to deforestation as forests are cleared for new cocoa trees to be grown. A large portion of illegal deforestation in this region is estimated to be from cocoa farming. Although using “slash and burn” techniques have greatly improved output for cocoa farmers, they have had a harsh negative effect on the wildlife of the Ivory Coast. With the destruction of over 90% of the Ivory' Coast's forests, chimpanzees, elephants, pygmy hippopotami, and other species into have been pushed into vulnerable or endangered states.

In order to make cocoa tree growth more efficient, farmers often use herbicides and pesticides. This also has a harmful effect on tropical rainforests, as cocoa trees are typically grown beneath a forest canopy.

It is approximated that about 70% of cocoa beans used in the world are grown in West Africa. This is a potential problem for the farmers there as climate change is predicted to cause temperature increase in that area, and cocoa trees are susceptible to higher temperatures and dry weather conditions