3 Ways Your Organic Textile Purchase is Changing the World by Jessica Diehl
by Chia's Silver Lining
At Chia's Silver Lining we love our organic cotton products because we know what an impact buying organic cotton can have on the world but also on your health. According to aboutorganiccotton.org, "organic cotton reduces our environmental footprint because no toxic chemicals are used in the growing of organic cotton. It doesn’t damage the soil, has less impact on the air, and uses 88% less water and 62% less energy. Conventional cotton uses about 16% of the world’s insecticides and 7% of pesticides." Many studies have shown a link between pesticide exposure and solid tumors. The most consistent associations were found for brain and prostate cancer. An association was also found between kidney cancer in children and their parents' exposure to pesticides at work. To learn more about this go to the US National Library of Medicine. As cancer patients/ survivors or just conscientious individuals, buying organic cotton and working to limit our exposure to chemicals whenever possible is a healthy and smart choice. Below Jessica Diehl gives us a few ways buying organic cotton is changing the world!
We all know that organic cotton goods are better for farmers, workers and our families, but did you know that there are a host of our environmental and social impacts? We did some research and compiled our 3 favorite ways that your organic textile purchase is changing the world!
1. Soil Health: Without the use of synthetic fertilizers, farmers must use compost and manure to fertilize their crops. This increases soil organic carbon, which increases soil health. It also prevents soil and water contamination.
2. Supporting Organic Food:Because organic farming often uses crop rotation to replenish the soil, the fields that grow your organic cotton one season, may be home to organic fruits and veggies the next. This allows the land to be more productive. Don't forget that cottonseed oil is used in food production, so organic cotton production needs an increase in organic cottonseed oil!
3. Farmer Profitability:Studies show that organic farming is 22-35% more profitable for farmers than conventional. Because most cotton farms in India are small, family run operations, this means more money in the hands of the community.
