Lofty Goals

Today the cotton industry is actively working towards accomplishing one of the most important goals that all industries must strive for – sustainability. Does this green initiative also include the cultivation of cotton? Is the cultivation of cotton sustainable? Improvements have been made throughout the years to improve the use of pesticides used on cotton during growing season. The reuse of water during cultivation has also changed in recent years. Are these changes enough?

         In the report, Science Shop Wageningen UR, dated April 2006 they discuss the issues involving cotton production and processing. This study provides an extensive description of the cultivation practices of each system in the major cotton producing countries and the related environmental effects. Cotton is produced in more than 100 countries, the most important countries being:

•    China (24% of global cotton production)
•   USA (19%)
•  India (16%)
•    Pakistan (10%)
•  Brazil (5%)
• Uzbekistan (4%)

Three types of cotton cultivation are distinguished in this study:

• Conventional systems (representing about 80% of cotton production internationally)
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems (approximately 20%)
•  Organic systems (0.04%)

It is determined that water and pesticide use cause the most significant environmental problems in cotton systems. In developing countries most organic cotton is rain-fed while the majority of the IPM and conventional cotton is irrigated. The environmental impact of water use is considerably lower for rain-fed than for irrigated cotton, however the opportunities for yield gains by optimizing water applications are also consequently lower.

The widespread use of extremely high toxic pesticides in developing countries is a major concern both for the natural environment and for people who are exposed, especially workers applying these pesticides. Pesticide application methods strongly affect the potential impact on field workers and the environment; thus, the way field workers apply pesticides needs to be better understood.

Although this information may be true, there are always two sides to every story. Cotton today states that modern technology has enabled increased efficiency in cotton production. Specifically, 50% more cotton is produced worldwide today on the same amount of land as compared to 40 some years ago.

In the video titled Cotton and Water: white, blue and green they inform us of the ways that the cotton industry is becoming more environmentally friendly. One way is by the use of precision irrigation, which is where an underground piping system allows the water to feed directly to the plants preventing water evaporation. Large factories now use a new machine called a vibrating member that removes indigo molecules after dying so that the same water can be used repeatedly. This system has been able to recycle 80 percent of the water used from dying, which is 20 gallons a day. Countries such as Bangladesh have also created ways to help improve the environment by recycling rainwater during monsoon season and then using the water during textile production.

In my opinion, I think it will be hard for industries such as clothing and textile to become fully sustainable. Cotton is used in the manufacturing of nearly everything we wear and use. I do believe that there are ways to improve the process in which cotton is created, but it will obviously take time and effort from everyone involved. But we need to set a high goal in order to make a large impact.