Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber that is in production today. As a result of this, the production of cotton has a very high impact on the environment. There are ways to produce and manufacture cotton that have a less negative impact, but the ways that have a greater negative impact far outweigh the others.
According to The Sustainability of Cotton, "Cotton is produced in more than 100 countries, with 78% of all cotton produced in 6 countries." (Kooistra, Termorshuizen, pg.3) Clearly, the production of cotton is a huge factor in the global economy and the earth as a whole.
Cotton has very specific growth conditions. There are several different types of irrigation: flood-or-furrow, mobile, and drip. All of these types of irrigation uses large amounts of water. Cotton can also be compromised by insects. One affect that cotton production has on the environment is in the use of fertilizers and pesticides. These can serve as poisons to the different ecosystems. There is a way to manufacture cotton organically, but is not yet widely used. Cotton Inc., offers different methods they are in the process of perfecting to make organic cotton more readily available.
If manufacturers of cotton as a whole will spend more time in the research for ways to create organic cotton, it will take a huge negative impact off of the earth.
Hi, Emily! I hope your interview went well last week! Though organic cotton cultivation is growing, it is highly unlikely that the majority of cotton will ever be cultivated this way. After reading The Sustainability of Cotton, do you think this crop is sustainable long-term? Can we continue to cultivate this crop? Are there alternatives?
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I liked how you were straight to the point. You stated the problem and then explained an alternative method that would double as a solution. Some critics - I thought you could have a expanded a little more on those. Overall your paper was good!
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