We at Nordlicht believe that choosing certified organic cotton
is socially, ethically and ecologically responsible and at the same time has no alternative.
Apart from that, organic cotton is pleasantly soft and wears fabulously on the skin.
Why we at Nordlicht opted for organic cotton.
Organic cotton reduces our ecological footprint.
Organic cotton promotes fair working conditions and better living conditions.
Instead of the genetic engineering companies. Organic cotton is a sustainable model for the future.
Organic cotton makes a real contribution to the fight against climate change.
Organic cotton affects our food system and is good for our skin.
Organic cotton is an investment in an affordable, sustainable future.
So what is organic cotton? In short, organic cotton is non-GMO cotton grown without toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and harvested under fair working conditions. Its production supports the health of soils, ecosystems and people by relying on natural processes and not on the use of harmful toxins and synthetic fertilizers.
Conventional cotton requires an incomprehensible 2,700 liters of water to make a single cotton T-shirt. With 324 liters per T-shirt, organic cotton requires 88% less water than conventional cotton. The effects of water consumption in conventional cotton cultivation can already be observed worldwide. An example of this is the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, located between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and home to a vibrant fishing community and abundant wildlife. But when the rivers that feed the lake were diverted to support the irrigation of conventional cotton farms in Eastern Europe, the Aral Sea dried up rapidly. It is now referred to as the Aralkum Desert. (Note: The drying out of the Aral Sea is not solely due to cotton cultivation, other causes are political mistakes, greed for profit and mistakes in the construction of an irrigation system,
more information can be found here.
Organic cotton not only has lower water consumption, but also a smaller ecological footprint because cultivation does not require toxic chemicals such as hazardous pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers throughout the growth process. This natural approach does not damage the soil on which the cotton is grown, but restores soil fertility. In addition, the air is less polluted because 62% less energy is consumed. This is good news! In comparison, the cultivation of conventional cotton uses 16% of the insecticides used worldwide and 7% of pesticides, which endangers the quality of soils and water, as well as the health of biodiversity in the fields and in the surrounding area, and ultimately in our waters and oceans.
From 2018 to 2019, around 118.65 million 480-pound bales of cotton were produced worldwide, most of it for the fashion industry. It is noteworthy that organic cotton accounts for less than 1% of this. In recent years, however, the production of organic cotton has risen steadily, which is largely due to the increasing demand. By choosing organic cotton instead of conventional cotton, each individual has the purchasing power to empower brands, manufacturers and farmers to make sustainable choices. The Soil Association estimates that switching to organic cotton could reduce the impact of cotton production on global warming by 46%, compared to non-organic cotton. Organic cotton would also reduce the consumption of scarce fresh water by over 90% and energy consumption by over 60%.
The cultivation of organic cotton provides security for farmers and their families. The use of chemical pesticides in conventional cotton not only contaminates the natural water sources of the farming communities, but also the air in the growing regions is heavily polluted with pesticide-contaminated dust.
The aforementioned Aral Sea region has the highest rate of laryngeal cancer in the world, accounting for an unprecedented 80% of all throat cancer cases worldwide. In contrast, the cultivation of organic cotton offers farmers the opportunity to grow multiple crops, further promoting rural development. This allows farmers to improve their own food supply or tap into another source of income.
Cottonseed oil is known to be widely used as animal feed, but less well known is its use in a variety of our own everyday foods, from crackers, chips and margarine to vegetable oil. So if we support the cultivation of organic cotton and the use of organic cotton seeds, it will ultimately lead to better food quality for us. Even though we don’t absorb cotton fibers directly into our bodies, the by-products still get into our food. In addition, organic cotton is also good for our skin, it is hypoallergenic, that is, it does not cause skin irritation in people with skin problems and sensitivities. Even people with asthma can wear them without hesitation. In summary, if we avoid eating fruits and vegetables that have been treated with chemical pesticides, we should also avoid carrying substances that have been treated with harmful chemicals and absorbing them through our largest organ, the skin.
By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to face serious water shortages. No wonder when you know that the fast fashion industry uses an average of 10,000 liters of water to produce a single kilogram of cotton. By comparison, the largest conventional cotton producers such as China, the USA and Pakistan are already under great water stress. With organic cotton, things are different.
Organic cotton is grown with 80% rainwater, which drastically reduces the pressure on local water sources compared to conventional cotton. In addition, eliminating chemicals when growing organic cotton means that the water is significantly cleaner and safer, giving farmers the opportunity to diversify their crops while providing a safer workplace and home.
Currently, the price of organic cotton is higher than conventional cotton. Factors such as the lower yield per hectare, stricter protocols to avoid contamination with conventional cotton, and the more labor-intensive cultivation and harvesting practices are some of the main reasons for the higher price of organic cotton. However, if we pay a little more for organic cotton products, we are investing in water protection, cleaner air, better soils and farmers’ livelihoods. The good news is that as demand increases, so does the choice and price range for organic cotton. As mentioned earlier, it is the purchasing power of each individual that drives companies to invest in sustainable alternatives.
So these are six points about the advantages of organic cotton that motivate us at Nordlicht to continue on our path as a fair, sustainable label.
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