The Reason Behind Cotton Being dubbed as the Planet's Filthiest Agricultural Product
The Environmental and Social Impact of Conventional Cotton Farming vs. Organic Cotton
A significant portion of US taxpayers' money, approximately $4 billion annually, is funneled towards cotton farmers, driving down cotton prices by 50%. However, this subsidized agriculture comes at a cost to both the environment and the farmers in poorer regions, as they struggle to compete with their American counterparts [1].
Conventional cotton farming, which covers 2.5% of the world's agricultural land, is the crop that consumes the most insecticides globally [2]. It uses an estimated 122,481 tons of pesticides and 58,910 tons of insecticides yearly, accounting for 4.4% of global pesticide use in crops [1][2][3]. These chemicals are not without consequence. They contaminate land, air, food, and drinking water in several countries, including the USA, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Australia, Greece, and West Africa [4].
The global cotton industry uses approximately $2-3 billion worth of pesticides annually, with $819 million classified as hazardous by the World Health Organization [2]. These toxic agrochemicals are linked to various health issues, including cancer, infertility, and birth defects [5]. Moreover, excess nitrates from fertilizers can transform into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2 [6].
The environmental damage caused by conventional cotton farming extends beyond chemical pollution. The industry's reliance on water is also a major concern. It takes 713 gallons of water to produce one cotton t-shirt, equivalent to the water needed to sustain one person for two and a half years [7]. The diversion of major rivers for cotton irrigation has led to the extinction of many fish and bird species and health issues among the local population, as seen in the case of the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest body of inland water, now turned into a desert [8].
In contrast, organic cotton farming avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, instead using natural pest control and organic fertilizers. This approach preserves soil health, prevents water contamination, protects biodiversity, conserves water, and reduces health hazards for workers [1][2]. Organic cotton supports biodiversity and promotes sustainable agriculture, whereas conventional cotton practices lead to soil depletion and pollution of water sources, increasing environmental vulnerability [2][4].
However, it's important to note that organic cotton farming is not entirely without its challenges. For instance, it requires more irrigation than conventional cotton and has a 30% lower yield [9]. Additionally, while organic cotton is biodegradable and less problematic in terms of microplastic pollution compared to synthetic fibers, choosing organic cotton enhances these environmental benefits further by reducing chemical inputs [10].
In the realm of social impact, conventional cotton farming poses significant risks to workers. In India alone, an estimated 450,000 children work in the cotton industry, many of them under debt bondage, working 9-13 hours a day and receiving no education. These children are at risk of lung cancer due to cotton dust in ginning factories [11].
In conclusion, organic cotton farming mitigates the negative environmental impacts of water overuse, chemical pollution, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss inherent in conventional cotton farming, while improving social outcomes by protecting farmer health. It's a step towards sustainable agriculture that prioritises the wellbeing of our planet and its inhabitants.
References: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602436/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483660/ [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340918300900 [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014811930181X [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540045/ [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3267696/ [7] https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/cotton/ [8] https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/aral-sea/ [9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X1630027X [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483660/ [11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602436/
- Promoting education and self-development in the field of environmental science is crucial for understanding the detrimental impact of conventional cotton farming on medical conditions related to pesticide exposure.
- The finance industry could make a significant contribution to health and wellness by investing in organic cotton farming, which has a lower environmental impact compared to conventional cotton.
- Climate change is a pressing concern in the industry, with the organic cotton industry promoting environmentally friendly practices to combat the greenhouse gas emissions generated by conventional cotton farming.
- Career development opportunities in the business sector can be found in companies that prioritize ethical sourcing of organic cotton, focusing on health-and-wellness and environmental-science principles.
- Skin conditions and other health issues can be mitigated by choosing organic cotton products, as they are less likely to contain harmful chemicals used in conventional cotton farming.
