edun LIVE not only has 100% certified organic cotton t-shirt blanks in its product line, but also expends great efforts on the ground to help farmers transition from conventional cotton farming to organic farming. Why are we making such efforts to do this? Why is it so important to be organic? This section tries to answer these questions for you.
1. What is organic cotton?
Organic cotton is cotton that is grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides.
Conventionally grown cotton consumes approximately 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used in the world. In fact, producing enough cotton for a single t-shirt requires about a third of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers.
Organic cotton farming leads to less environmental damage and decreased human health risk. Organic farming also leads to some wonderful by-products such as: sunflower oil and seeds (as you plant sunflowers between rows of cotton to attract away certain insects) and honey (because bees and beehives also kill certain pests). Further, since there is high demand for organic cotton right now, farmers can command a premium if growing organically.
It is a win-win situation all around.
2. What are the hazards of pesticide use?
The introduction of pesticides into our environment can create a multitude of environmental and health problems.The use of pesticides in cotton farming impacts people all around the globe.
- Farmers and their families are directly exposed to chemicals (as many of them do not have the proper equipment or training to protect themselves) and so are more prone to the associated health risks.
- Pesticides enter local water tables and cause water pollution.
- Cotton by-products (such as cotton straw and cottonseed meal) are used to feed cattle, thus enabling pesticides to enter the human food chain.
- Pesticide use has been shown to weaken the immune system – deadly when many of the farmers are HIV positive.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as 20,000 deaths and 3 million chronic health problems each year are associated with poisonings related to agricultural pesticide use.
- According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, research studies have found higher instances of brain cancer, leukemia, and birth defects in children with early exposure to pesticides.
- A 2006 study by the Harvard School of Public Health discovered a 70% increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to even low levels of pesticides.
Pesticide use also impacts the environment:
- There is a loss of biodiversity via wildlife, animal and livestock deaths.
- Resistance to pesticides grows amongst pests.
- Interference occurs with natural pest control.
- Water pollution occurs.
Because of the above, edun LIVE is on the ground, with the Wildlife Conservation Society working directly with farmers in this region to help improve livelihoods and environmental preservation.
3. How can I be sure my edun LIVE t-shirt is organic?
Our organic cotton is certified by the internationally recognized institution, ECOCERT. ECOCERT is recognized in Europe, USA and Japan and is accredited in these regions by:
- COFRAC -Comité Français d'Accréditation- the French Committee for Accreditation,
- USDA for NOP (National Organic Program)
- NAPP for JAS (Japan Agricultural Standard)
4. Where can I learn more about the benefits of organic cotton?