Conventional cotton farming is one of agriculture’s most destructive activities, taking an enormous toll on the earth’s air, water and soil as well as significantly affecting the health of people living in cotton growing areas. Grown on just 4% of the worlds arable soil it consumes more than 11% of pesticides and an incredible 24% of insecticides used annually across the globe.

It is estimated that less than 10% of the chemicals applied to cotton fields are actually doing their jobs with the remainder going into the air, water and soil around the fields, harming or killing wildlife and workers as well as severely affecting the ecology of surrounding areas. Soils exposed to chemicals absorb less rainwater, increasing the risk of damage and erosion.