Support articles

Original image ©Radu Razvan

Cotton Yoga goods: Ecology and Environmental issues

Vast amounts of cotton is produced each year in countries such as China, USA, India and Pakistan.

Cotton is used extensively as the fibre used to make Yoga clothes and Yoga props, (e.g. Yoga belts/straps and Yoga mat bags) and also some Futon-style Yoga mats.

The appeal of Cotton is that it is often thought to be a naturally clean and environmentally friendly product.

In fact, it could take about 20,000 litres of water to produce enough cotton to make a T-shirt and pair of trousers !

Cotton farming is one of the largest sources of pollution in these countries.

The fact is that 24% of all insecticides and 11% of all pesticides used in the world goes on cotton, much of which is genetically engineered.

The use of these chemicals is often unsafe and this can have severe health effects on workers in the field and also on the immediate environment that can receive high doses from irrigated land.

Many of the pesticides used are classified as severely hazardous and yet these pesticides are being used without training, by farmers who may not able to read safety instructions and do not or cannot use protective clothing and equipment.

The use of such dangerous pesticides results in large numbers of poisonings.

The human cost of pesticides use is:-

• Officially, at least three million accidental poisoning incidents a year
• Some estimate there are over 25 million poisonings a year
• At least 20,000 of these people subsequently die

Unsustainable approaches to cotton farming involve huge inputs of water and pesticides that harm large regions of our planet.

When you buy organic cotton products, or sustainable alternatives, (e.g. Hemp) - you are supporting sustainable farming methods.

These methods do not pollute ground or surface water, or the air; nor do they poison farmers, farm workers or their families.

What these methods do is improve soil fertility for future generations.

Earthworms emerged from the soil, and then died. Then, birds came to eat the earthworms and they died as well. … fields smelt awful two or three days after spraying because virtually every living thing had been killed and started rotting.

A Borgou province cotton farmer, Benin

Other articles related to cotton, yoga, goods:, ecology, environmental, issues etc.

The life and times of the Sticky Yoga mat

Yoga mat and equipment use

Sticky Yoga mats - Ecological issues

Yoga mats: Ecology and Environmental issues

The Benefits of Yoga

Disclaimer: All exercise activity contains an element of risk. The information provided in this article is intended to augment, rather than replace professional guidance from a qualified instructor as may be necessary. The information is provided as is, without any claim, representation or warranty as to its suitability in any circumstances. Specifically, the information provided shall not constitute personal advice or recommendation, and in any case may not necessarily reflect an authoritative or the official view of YOGA NETWORK C.I.C. The entire risk as to the accuracy, completeness and suitability, or otherwise of any of the information provided is accepted by you. YOGA NETWORK C.I.C. does not assert any legal responsibility for accuracy, errors, or omissions etc. in this article.