Below are the 6 most recent journal entries recorded in organiccloth's InsaneJournal:

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
1:24 pm	What is Green Clothing? What is Green Clothing? Green Clothing is the new up and coming trend as the world becomes more concerned about environmental issues. The most popular form of green clothing is organic cotton. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Production of organic cotton helps out the environment in a number of ways. It helps to maintain and replenish soil fertility and it withholds use of chemical residues. Most importantly, humans, animals, and the environment are not exposed to any kinds of chemicals. Green clothing comes in another form known as organically grown bamboo clothing. According to Wikipedia, bamboo clothing is clothing made from either 100% bamboo yarn or a blend of bamboo and cotton/organic cotton yarn. Bamboo clothing locks in moisture making the fabric lavishly soft. Since bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth, it is a naturally renewable resource resulting in the ongoing production of bamboo clothing. Last but not least, the original choice for green clothing: hemp. According to the National American Industrial Hemp Council, primary fibers of hemp are spun and woven to a fine, brusque, linen-like fabric and used for apparel textiles, home furnishing textiles and carpeting. Hemp fibers are longer, stronger, more absorbent and more mildew-resistant than cotton. The biggest advantage to fabrics made of at least one-half hemp, is that it blocks the sun's UV rays more effectively than other fabrics all the while being environmentally friendly. Did you know it takes 1/3 lb. of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough cotton to make just one t-shirt while green clothing controls the use of pests and is grown in a way to sustain the environment? Green clothing is an easy way of protecting the health of people and the planet. So when it comes down to choosing between a cotton t-shirt and an organic one, which would you rather wear? (Comment on this)
1:23 pm	What are Some Eco-Friendly Products? What are Some Eco-Friendly Products? As more and more people begin to alter their lifestyles and purchases to adapt a “greener” way of living, it is vital that consumers be made aware of that vast amount of eco-friendly products available to them. There are many alternative choices in all different aspects of living that are readily available to purchase in order to maintain an eco-friendly lifestyle. There are many eco-friendly products readily available that maintain the convenience and simplicity of previously used, environmentally harmful products. An easy place to begin is in the supermarket. One major change many consumers are making is to trade in their paper and plastic grocery bags for more eco-friendly, reusable bags. Also, buying organic produce and foods helps to reduce water contamination and improve the quality of soil. Many supermarkets have designated organic aisles. Around the house is another place to implement eco-friendly habits. For example, using 20-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of the 75-watt incandescent is another simple and convenient way to save an extreme of amount of carbon dioxide on a yearly basis and still receive the same amount of light. Investing in a single low-flow showerhead greatly reduces water usage per household as well as the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere. Using glass products is also very eco-friendly since glass never wears out and can be continually recycled. Electrically powered vehicles are an eco-friendly alternative to gasoline powered vehicles. Hybrids as well as electrically powered scooters (a very popular method of transportation in Western Europe) are efficient alternative means of transportation. Organic clothing is another rapidly growing industry, giving consumers the alternative option to purchase clothing that is both fashionable and also made of sustainable materials such as bamboo and organic cotton. These materials regenerate rapidly and are abundant in our environment, which makes buying organic clothing the eco-friendly choice. Eco-friendly products are available in all ways, shapes, and forms. It is important that consumers be aware of the impact of their daily purchases and choices that they make as buyers and choose products that are eco-friendly and not harmful to our environment. cotton t-shirt and an organic one, which would you rather wear? (Comment on this)
1:22 pm	How Can I Be Green and Fashionable? How can I be Green and Fashionable? This question may run through the eco-conscious consumer’s mind. In fact, green is becoming the new black. Even artists and celebrities are jumping on board in favor of the new trend. Some eco-friendly celebs include Leonardo Dicaprio, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, and Orlando Bloom. These celebrities, among others, were featured in Elle’s fashion spotlight in the April 2008 issue. Project Greenhouse helps unite celebs, like the ones listed, and fashion. Thedailygreen.com made note of Project Greenhouse, which was launched in 2006. The project brings together designers, artists, filmmakers and more with the theme of sustainability, and has set up shop at Sundance, in the Hamptons and more. At the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, the Eco-Fashion Closet was introduced via Project Greenhouse. It displayed the latest sustainable designs from established and emerging designers. The collection included designs from Oscar de la Renta, Linda Loudermilk, Lara Miller, Bahar Shapar, DDCLAB, C.L.A.S.S., et al. When consumers go shopping and purchase an item, the item is then placed into either a paper or plastic bag; that doesn’t seem eco-friendly, does it? According to the EPA, the U.S. consumes about 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps a year. Fewer than 5 percent are recycled. Plastic bags aren’t biodegradable. They actually go through a process called photodegradation—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate both soil and water, and end up entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Most eco-friendly consumers these days are using reusable bags to pack their newly purchased items in. According to In Style, Rachel Bilson , Hilary Swank, and Jessica Biel are just a few of many celebrities who shop with reusable bags. Reusable bags could be pretty fashionable too. They come in different styles, colors, patterns, and best of all they won’t be harmful to the environment. In conclusion, you can go green and be fashion forward at the same time! (Comment on this)
1:22 pm	Describe Organic Cotton Describe Organic Cotton The organic clothing industry is rapidly growing due to the consumer demand for more eco-friendly fashion options. Organic clothing is typically made of sustainable resources, which are materials that are easily and quickly replenished and abundant within our environment. Of all organic, natural fibers, organic cotton is one of the most popular. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Conventional cotton farming is one of agriculture's most environmentally destructive activities, taking an enormous toll on the air, water, and soil, as well as people living near the pesticide laden cotton fields. Cotton uses approximately 25 percent of the world's insecticides and more than 10 percent of the pesticides. In the U.S. in 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the country, ranking cotton second behind corn in total amount of pesticides sprayed. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations. Organic cotton grown by farmers worldwide increased 152 percent during the 2007-2008 crop year, according to the Organic Cotton Farm and Fiber Report 2008 released by Organic Exchange. Organic cotton, as well as many other organic fibers, provide an eco-friendly clothing option for consumers. (Comment on this)
1:20 pm	Environmental Benefits of Organic Cotton The Environmental Benefits of Organic Cotton The heat is on, and it's organic cotton that is getting hot! Over the year 2007-2008, the production of organic cotton increased by an unbelievable 152%, according to the Organic Trade Association, and continues to grow at about a rate of 50% per year, according to the venerable Wikipedia. So, what is organic cotton? And why the sudden explosion? The Organic Trade Association defines organic cotton as “cotton that is grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides from plants which are not genetically modified.” Pretty simple. So, why is that so great? Because chemical fertilizers and pesticides are coming increasingly into the spotlight for their horrific effects on the environment and the health of humans and other animals. Use of inorganic fertilizers can upset the stability of mineral ions in the soil. Over time, this can cause the fertility of the top soil to degrade, and cause it to become more susceptible to erosion. Use of chemical fertilizer also destroys the natural ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and other beneficial organisms that live in the soil. This eventually leads to a loss of humus, the naturally occurring plant nutrients caused by the decomposition of organic matter. This deteriorates the natural fertility of top soil – simultaneously causing the need for more fertilizer, and accelerating the damage. The porosity of the soil is also affected, meaning the roots can no longer acquire sufficient oxygen and take in salts as well. These unabsorbed nitrates are carried by rain water into rivers and lakes, where they accumulate and pose a threat to aquatic life. The degradation of soil causes it to become dry and powdery, and the wind begins to carry it away. This is the primary cause of what is known as 'desertification' – the conversion of once-arable land to desert. Excessive nitrates in the soil also find their way into the fruits and grains we eat. These are very bad for humans, small children especially. They are known to cause 'Blue-Baby Syndrome' (a horrifying condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood is reduced, leading to the death of the infant), and miscarriages in pregnant women. Chemical fertilizers also degrade the efficiency of denitrifying bacteria in the soil, meaning that some of the excess nitrogen is released into the air as nitrous oxide – a greenhouse gas some 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and one which virtually nothing uses...meaning that, once it is in the atmosphere, it stays there. There isn't anything to remove it. The pesticides are a whole other realm of bad...these, too, are persistent chemicals which eventually find their way into the food-chain and watersheds and, hence, into our own bodies. Along with the same basic issues as the fertilizer regarding the degradation and pollution of the soil for chemical pesticides, the American Medical Association has this to say about them: “Particular uncertainty exists regarding the long-term effects of low-dose pesticide exposures. Current surveillance systems are inadequate to characterize potential exposure problems related either to pesticide usage or pesticide-related illnesses…Considering these data gaps, it is prudent…to limit pesticide exposures…and to use the least toxic chemical pesticide or non-chemical alternative.” Wikipedia informs us that, according to the United Nations Environment program and the World Health Organization, about 3 million workers get severe enough poisoning from working with the chemicals to die every year. About 25 million more suffer more 'mild' poisoning every year. There are also the more long-term effects of continuous low-dose exposure (which, between the ubiquity of the chemicals, watershed contamination, and wind-carried drift from the aerial sprayers, pretty much everyone in the world has). It has been linked to respiratory problems, memory problems, neurological damage, depression, dermatological conditions, cancer, miscarriages, and birth defects. And, again, it is children who are most effected and at risk. Growing organic is different. Natural compost and manure are used as fertilizer, enhancing the soil's natural ecosystem. Beneficial organisms and insects are used to keep pests away. One study, authored by Sasha B. Kramer and Harold A. Mooney of Stanford University, showed the benefits of organic methods quite clearly. According to their results, the non-organic methods resulted in more than 5 times the amount of pollutants being released. Egypt, in the 90's, converted 400,000 hectares of land from conventional to integrated cotton farming techniques (meaning a combination of organic and conventional chemical), and achieved a 90% reduction in pesticides, while simultaneously seeing a 30% increase in yields! SustainableCotton.org has a nifty 'fiber footprint' calculator, which reveals that organically grown cotton has less than half the footprint, in all categories, of cotton grown with conventional methods. The long and the short of it is simply this: organic cotton is exploding because it is markedly better for the environment in virtually every way, and people are increasingly conscious of their effect on the environment. More importantly, they are beginning to speak with their wallets. And speak loudly. As the number of people making sustainability a major factor in their decision-making increases, so too will the migration to organic and integrated agricultural techniques.... ….And that is some of the best news I've heard all year. Every person who makes the decision to 'Go Green' and buy organic brings us, as a species, one step closer to living in harmony with this beautiful world. Keep it up, folks. Together, we really can make a difference. (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
12:11 am	Fertilizer Meets Groundwater There's Nothing Good About That Fertilizer Meets Groundwater – There's Nothing Good About That Without fertilizer, we would all be in a lot of trouble. It is only our knowledge of plant nutrients, and our ability to find substances that provide those nutrients to them, that allows us to use agriculture in the way that we do, in the same fields every year. Without this basic tool, we would have to create an entirely new field every few years for every thing that is grown. The basic problem comes from harvest. In that process, we remove bits that would once have fallen to the ground and composted, thus replenishing the soil. Since we remove a good portion of the plant during harvest, we are essentially taking those nutrients away. Over time, there isn't enough left in the soil to grow crops with. That's where fertilizer comes in. The application of fertilizer replenishes these nutrients, allowing crops to be repeatedly grown on the same plot of land, year after year. It isn't exactly 'new' technology. Madehow.com informs that manure from animals was spread on crops far, far back into the Agricultural Revolution, as the earliest farmers learned from experience that the first year's yields on a plot of land were always much better than those from subsequent years. The ancient Egyptians began to add ashes from their fires to it as well. The understanding of plant nutrients and fertilizer production really took off in the late 18th through the 19th century. What has happened is that, over the years, we have evolved our fertilizer to the point of amazing concentrations of plant nutrients – one gram of modern chemical fertilizer has the available plant nutrients of something like 100 pounds of manure! Crop yields have improved dramatically, allowing us to feed the multitudes we have become as a species. The problem, ironically, begins to occur because these chemical fertilizers do have so many nutrients in them. Plants can only absorb so much, so fast. An amazing percentage of these nutrients are, over time, washed too far under the ground by rain and irrigation for the roots of the plants to reach. These 'wasted' nutrients eventually find their way to the groundwater table, and from there make their way into the watersheds and water supplies of virtually every stream, river, tributary, or lake in the world, and into the ocean itself. And that's not so good. Nitrates, the primary form of fertilizer pollution found in water sources, have many negative consequences. First off, they promote rampant and uncontrollable growth of algae. This increases the turbidity of water, and the toxins they release en masse can cause fish death. Either while growing, or sometimes when they rapidly die, these algeal blooms can radically alter, or even destroy, the natural ecosystem within a body of water. They sometimes cause less beneficial fish to become dominant, cause all fish to die, and even make the water toxic to human beings. These nitrates are responsible for huge 'dead zones' at the mouth of almost every river as it reaches the ocean. Massive blooms of red algae are created by the run-off as it enters the ocean, and is responsible for massive drifting 'dead zones' throughout the ocean. Any fish that gets too close to these blooms dies from the toxins they release. With something like 90% of the world's fisheries currently over-fished, we don't actually have that much to spare. It is no longer so simple as saying, “Well, plenty of fish in the ocean”....because there aren't, anymore. The nitrates are also very unhealthy for humans. They have been linked to numerous neurological and physiological conditions, especially in children and infants. They are directly link to so-called “Blue-Baby Syndrome”, where they bind with hemoglobin in the blood and prevent it from carrying oxygen. Infants with this condition who are not treated quickly can die. They are also linked to miscarriages, cancers, and even depression. Inorganic, chemical fertilizers are the key culprits. The concentration and high water-solubility of these chemicals and their nutrients cause the most waste. Organic fertilizers tend to release their nutrients in a far more controlled, slow fashion; and those nutrients are not as soluble in water. One study by Stanford grad student Sasha B. Kramer, and professor Hal A. Mooney, showed more than 5 times the amount of nitrates 'leeched' into the groundwater with chemical fertilizers than with organic compounds. It also showed no decrease in yields. As our population grows, one thing we can be sure of is that we will need more food – which means we will need more fertilizer. Increasingly, the benefits of organic farming and production are becoming clearer. There may be no such thing as a perfect solution...but some are evidently better than others. Go organic. It is probably the single most important decision you can make as far as reducing world pollution, and helping our species attain that oh-so-sought-after state of sustainability. Together, we can do it. Current Mood: cheerful (Comment on this)