Choose Organic, Fair Trade Clothing and Save Lives

By Adrian Desbarats

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than three million cases of severe pesticide poisoning occur every year. Of these, over 300,000 die with 99% of the cases being from third world countries. To put that in perspective, one farmer dies every two minutes as a result of pesticide poisoning.

In addition to human suffering, there are significant environmental impacts. Pesticide application is broad based and difficult to control. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides end up missing their intended target entirely. Pesticides are lost to the environment primarily by wind and rain where they impact wild life such as bees, birds, fish, etc.

Seepage of pesticides into groundwater is also becoming a big problem. In the United States alone, pesticides were found to pollute every stream and over 90% of wells sampled in a study by the US Geological Survey.
Many pesticides are not easily degraded. So once they enter the environment, their impact can have lasting deadly effects. Animals that are already stressed are particularly vulnerable. For example, the USDA and USFWS estimate that about 20% of the endangered and threatened species in the US are jeopardized by use of pesticides

The sad reality is that pesticide use is not necessary. The pesticide industry is huge, valued at well over 33 billion. These pesticide companies want us to keep using their chemicals.

But the reality is that alternatives to pesticides do exist such as manual or mechanical removal of weeds and pests from plants or, use of traps and lures to catch pests. Pests can be controlled by removing their pest breeding sites, planting native plants that are resistant amongst the main crop and using bio-control agents such as birds and other pest eating animals.

About one third of a pound of pesticides is required for every cotton shirt made. Every time we don conventional cotton clothing, we are literally contributing to the death of farmers and destruction of habitat. I can see some logic in the argument that pesticides are needed to keep feeding the world. It is not a view I subscribe to, but I can see the reasoning. But where is the justification in the destruction of lives and habitat just to keep us in fast, cheap fashion?

By choosing to buy organic foods and organic clothing we are making a statement. A statement that we will no longer tolerate human suffering and environmental destruction for the sake of convenience.

Fashion and Earth is an e-retailer of organic, fair trade clothing for women. They offer free shipping both ways, a very generous Rewards Program and money back guarantee. It is their mission to make it easy for you to dress with purpose. If you want to experience the feeling of wear organic clothing then click here: buy organic fair trade clothing

And we don't just mean the feeling of the fabric but also the feeling of pride and accomplishment that comes when you make that commitment of switching from fast fashion to eco-fashion! If you want to learn more about organic clothing you can visit Fashion and Earth's blog here: Organic Clothing Blog

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