Who doesn’t own a shirt that is 100% cotton or has a mix of cotton in it? Everyone does. Cotton is one of the most popular fabric choices when it comes to the production of apparel. There is more to cotton production than what goes into the construction of making a classic Hanes t-shirt. Have you ever thought about the effects growing cotton has on the environment? There are various environmental factors that come into place in the cultivation of cotton including that of water and pesticides.
Referring to the reading, The Sustainability of Cotton, Cotton is a challenging crop to grow because it is delicate to drought, does not settle well with low temperatures, and with cotton being grown in a field insects attacking the crop become a huge factor. With this said, cotton production is taking place in more than 100 countries and China is the leading country in the production of this crop which means environmental factors are occurring in more than just the US.
Yes, farming techniques have improved vastly over the past few years which means new technologies have been created to preserve ways water is used in the production of cotton. In the video, Cotton and Water: White, Blue, and Green, they have come up with a new development called the “smart crop.” This tool reduces the amount of water consumption moisture running into the fields, which cuts down the amount of water used. Before this technology, at times there would be access water surrounding the cotton plants that was going to waste. All of this makes conventional cotton sound like it might have an advantage, but that is not necessarily the case because there is another way to go about it.
Organic farming systems are rain-fed which are considered to be “low-input organic,” which indicates that the use of water supply is not being put to waste. My reasoning of believing that the cultivation of cotton is on its way to being sustainable is reinforced by the following statement found in the reading, “most organic cotton systems are rain-fed and the majority of conventional and IPM systems are irrigated, often unsustainably.” The impact of producing organically grown cotton is more than sounding like “we care about the environment.” Improving the quality of our land’s environment is a characteristic that all of the resources above have listed as a main priority and concern. The fact that organic cotton gets its water source from natural rain, this saves on the amount of water used and even at times wasted due to over-watering the crops. The Sustainability of Cotton reading points out that more field-work needs to be accomplished to evaluate the environmental effects the cotton system has. So, with that said think sustainably and go organic.
Hi, Amanda! Your blog is well written and your argument clear. Since organic cotton only comprises 3-4% (if that) of total global cotton production, I'm unsure of the likelihood of all cotton being converted organic -- this is, in fact, a long process, typically several years of no pesticides/fertilizers before a farmer can begin to apply for organic certification (which is financially risky). In your opinion, is there hope that conventional cotton could significantly reduce its eco-footprint, in addition to water efficiency? What are the alternatives? And, when you say "framing," did you mean farming?
ReplyDeleteHi Dr. Armstrong,
DeleteYes, I do think that there is hope conventional cotton could reduce its eco-footprint, with the addition to water efficiency. Conventional cotton is the most used form of cotton growth. With this method of production, they are aware that there is a need for change within the growth process, emphasizing that of water supply for environmental reasons. In the video I watched, it mentioned several technological ways that are being shaped to preserve water supply when it comes to conventional cotton production. This is an alternative way to go about production, in a more efficient way – by not wasting water supply by over irrigating the crops. Also yes, I meant farming. I made the correction, thank you for pointing that out.
Thanks, Amanda!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI like how you started out your opening paragraph with questions, I think that helps to draw the reader in. You made some great points on how organic farming saves more water because it is rain-fed. I do agree that going organic is better for the environment in most cases but I think that some countries have more trouble with organic farming because their environment and climate is not always suitable. Overall, I think that your blog is well written and provides great information on the benefits of organic farming over conventional.
Emily
Thank you, Emily!
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