Surfing for the planet - 100% cotton, no thanks

Surfing for the planet 100% cotton, no thanks Fledgling surfwear retailer ZooZoo2.com founded by 12 year old Molly Luke and still only 2 months old, is trying to teach the big boys a bit about environmentally conscious surf retailing. Unlike many of the big mainstream retailers Molly and ZooZoo2 have decided to sell only organic cotton T-shirts and clothing. This does mean they cost a little more to produce but it is worth every cent, plus, organic cotton T-shirts feel great to wear. Conventional cotton farming has a seriously destructive effect on the environment. The simple act of growing and harvesting the one pound of cotton fiber needed to make a T-shirt (or any other conventional cotton product), takes an enormous toll on the earth's air, water, and soil, and significantly affects the health of people living in cotton growing areas. [extract from Sustainable Cotton Project, Inc 2005] Conventional Cotton is one of the world's most intensively sprayed crops. [According to organisations such as the Sustainable Cotton organisation] Cotton uses approximately 25 percent of the world's insecticides and more than 10 percent of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants). The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in the year 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens. Organic Cotton is the only way to go Each T-shirt made from one hundred percent organic cotton saves one-third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Consumers who buy organic cotton help support this fledgling sustainable industry. [extract from newamericandream.org] 100% cotton 73% truth The average 100% cotton T-shirt contains only 73% cotton. The rest consists of chemicals and resins used to increase production levels. We all think 100% cotton is exactly that, unfortunately the truth seems to be a little different. In America last year, farmers applied 53 million pounds of toxic pesticides to cotton fields. Out of the world's total insecticide usage, 25% is used just to farm cotton. And, if that isn't enough, once the cotton has been grown it is dyed using toxic dyes. Then, to prevent it from creasing, it is finished with formaldehyde. Common sense says that can't be right. [extract from Howies clothing] Go organic ZooZoo2 is committed to reducing environmental damage through the use of organic cotton surf T-shirts and clothing. Let's all do what we can to protect our planet by wearing organic cotton. Let surfers lead the way.