Image courtesy Wikipedia
There’s no doubt that organic cotton has been getting some great press lately. Major retailers, including clothing giant American Apparel, now use organic clothing on a regular basis. And, the Organic Trade Association reports that organic cotton production here in the US grew by 26% last year.
But many people still aren’t sure why they should spend the extra money on organic cotton. Most of the time, organic cotton clothing is more expensive. So, why should we pay up?
The Cotton Farming Nightmare
First of all, regular cotton farming is incredibly bad for the environment. Weather.com reports that over $2.6 billion dollars worth of pesticides are used each year to grow cotton.
That’s a ton of chemicals that are running off into our groundwater and polluting our air. And, the article also highlights these sobering facts:
- In California, five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton are cancer-causing chemicals
- In Egypt, more than 50 percent of cotton workers in the 1990s suffered symptoms of chronic pesticide poisoning
- The World Health Organization estimates that at least three million people are poisoned by pesticides every year and 20-40,000 more are killed.
The Benefits of Organic Cotton
The biggest benefit to organic cotton is that it’s grown using zero pesticides. This means local populations aren’t affected by chemical applications, groundwater and local wildlife stays safe, and the air is kept clean.
Organic cotton farming uses natural insecticides and environmentally friendly methods for growing the crop. For instance, California organic cotton farmers plant strips of alfalfa around their crops to encourage beneficial insects. In India, natural insecticide is made with garlic, chili, and extracts from the neem tree.
Farmers use a combination of ancient and modern techniques to grow cotton naturally.
Last Word…
There’s no doubt that organic cotton makes a much smaller impact on the environment than traditionally grown crops. But, is it worth the money?
Well, that’s a personal decision. Personally, I think it is. When I buy organic cotton clothing I’m supporting small farmers who are truly trying to make a difference in the world. They’re growing a crop that all of us need, but they’re doing it in a way that works with the earth, not against it.
Plus, I grew up on a cotton farm in Northeast Louisiana. I’ve personally seen just how much pesticides are used in the production of cotton, and how much ends up running off into the local rivers and swamps. It’s shocking, and it makes you wonder how any animal could survive drinking the water.
The good news is that awareness about the benefits of organic cotton is growing. Slowly, the tide is turning as consumers realize how important a decision this really is.
I know it can be hard to imagine the effects of buying organic cotton. After all, your’e standing in the store, and your reality is that you’ll be out an extra $5 or $10 if you buy organic. But put your imagination to work, and picture the farmer that’s on the other end of that supply chain. He or she is trying to do something good, sometimes in the face of overwhelming odds. When you buy organic cotton, you’re helping lift them up to continue their good work.
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