Uzbekistan is the world’s second largest exporter of cotton after the U.S., selling about one million tons per year.  Cotton is a huge economic boon for the country earning approximately 1 billion dollars annually.  Unfortunately, this profit comes at the expense of its citizens.  Many of the workers employed to work the fields are children ranging from age 6-14.  These kids are subject to working 13-hour days, are exposed to dangerous chemicals and get paid less than 50 cents per day.  Many of them must drink irrigation water, have no running water for bathing and may be in forced labor camps earning nothing at all.

As an environmental stressor, cotton is the world’s thirstiest crop using more than 500 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt.  It is also the world’s dirtiest crop, responsible for the release of $2 billion worth of pesticides every year, and accounts for more insecticide release than any other single crop.  For example, one teaspoon of aldicarb-a pesticide widely used in cotton production in the U.S.-is sufficient to kill an adult.

Organically grown cotton is free of harmful pesticides and most of the cotton fields are monitored by the fair trade organizations.  Products from these sources are certified by the International Control Union (ICU which was formerly know as SKAL).  These organizations help insure that labor is treated to stable work conditions and minimum age standards (14 years old).  They also monitor the environmental hazards associated with cotton production making sure that the cotton is grown pesticide and chemical free.

Consumers can have a huge influence on the shift to organic cotton products.  As the demand increases so do the economics.  According to the Organic Exchange, organic cotton production increased 76 percent between 2005 and 2006.  Sales of organic cotton are projected to reach $2.6 billion by the end of 2008.  Unfortunately, the sources of cotton are not coming from the U.S. due to American subsidies.  Billions of dollars go to enrich a small percentage of cotton growers, driving down the price of conventional cotton.  This drives down the worldwide market price and many world cotton farmers into poverty.  Hence, the competitive market is lost and there is no incentive for the mega-farms in the U.S. to go organic. 

As the consumer continues to demand organic products we can influence a supply and demand shift and influence important government agencies.  For more information go to Better Cotton initiative, www.bettercotton.org, Organic Exchange, www.organicexchange.org, Environmental Justice Foundation, www.ejfoundation.org, and Organic Consumers Association, www.organicconsumers.org.