It is obvious that environmentally, conventionally grown cotton is a bad choice, so is it always better to always choose organic cotton?
The answer, unfortunately, is no.
Organic cotton producers would like consumers to believe that organic cotton is pesticide free, but the hardiness of cotton pests makes this an impossibility.
There are many pseudonyms for the pesticides permitted for use on organics to make them sound healthier. They have been called “botanicals”, “natural remedies” or “organic pesticides”. But in actuality, organic pesticides are just as deadly as their synthetic counterparts.
Dr. Louis Hom, who specializes in Molecular & Cell Biology, states on his website,:
Until recently, nobody bothered to look at natural chemicals (such as organic pesticides), because it was assumed that they posed little risk. But when the studies were done, the results were somewhat shocking: you find that about half of the natural chemicals studied are carcinogenic as well.
What is alarming about this fact is how few organic pesticides are permitted for use on the organic cotton crop. This means that the chemicals that are allowed in organic farming may actually accumulate faster than if varying types were permitted.
One of the chemicals that organic farmers must resort to in order to deal with the troublesome cotton boll weevil is pyrethrin. Pyrethrin comes from the Chrysanthemum plant, but its natural origins belie its danger.
Pyrethrin is just as toxic as its synthetic counterpart, pyrethroid. It is extremly harmful to honeybees and fish, and can also harm the nervous system of humans, just as it does insects.
Wholly replacing conventional cotton farming with organic farming would significantly reduce pesticide use but may in fact damage the environment by concentrating the pesticide pollution to just a few chemicals.
Both conventional cotton and organic cotton pose risks, so, what is the right choice for the ethical shopper?
As with many things in life, the answer to stability is diversity.
It is dangerous to put such a heavy importance on cotton fiber. Making sixty percent of clothes from a crop so attractive to pests invites environmental devastation.
In order to be environmentally sound, consumers need to come up with new ideas of fashion based on multiple fiber sources. When we vary our fiber choices we minimize the overall impact of any one choice.
So, next time you’re shopping, instead of more cotton jeans and t-shirts, try picking up a silk blouse, hemp skirt, linen jacket or bamboo socks!
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