Traditionally cotton growing uses an enormous amount of pesticides and insecticides, nearly 1/3 a pound is used for every one pound produced.

Traditional cotton manufacturing often employs sweat shop labor. Manufacturers have, for years, resisted any kind of product labeling that would imply non-sweatshop labor used in it's production.

Traditional cotton manufacturing also is a somewhat water-intensive industry.

U.S. cotton growers receive subsidies for growing cotton. This tends to promote "corporate" cotton farms and mono-cropping which requires high level of pesticides and insecticides. Also, these subsidies crowd out 2nd and 3rd world farmers and contributes to world-wide poverty.

Although I applaud the "organic" push, which will certainly cut down on insecticide useage, an organic label does not address issues like sweat-shop labor, water-intensive production, subsidies and encouragement of poverty.

There is a certain element of "greenwash" going on in the organic cotton movement. Reducing pesticides is a good thing and should be encouraged. However, the cotton industry is trying to divert our attention from other serious issues with cotton that still need to be addressed.

Perhaps better labeling of cotton and cotton products are needed?

The labels should include:

- country of origin of cotton
- amount of pesticides used
- water usage and carbon production in each step of growing and production
- wage levels of workers, exploitation rating.
- government subsidies provided in it's growing and production.
- other indicators like land stewardship

Then, purchasers could look at the label and decide for themselves.