ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

Although "sustainability" brings to mind eco-friendly practices such as integrated pest management and reduced tillage, sustainable production encompasses more than just environmental concern. In addition to being good stewards of the earth's resources, sustainable agricultural producers-such as the U.S. cotton industry-strive to maintain the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for society as a whole.

The accepted international definition of sustainable development is: "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs¹." The U.S. cotton industry actively supports the three long-term goals of sustainability: environment, economics and quality of life. The U.S. cotton industry knows that to meet growing global demand for natural fibre, both now and in the future, cotton needs to be produced in a sustainable manner.

In terms of environmental friendliness, cotton and other natural fibres have clear advantages over synthetic chemical fibres. Cotton is a renewable, biodegradable and sustainable fibre. In contrast, the major synthetic chemical fibres use petroleum as a base, which is non-renewable and, therefore, not sustainable.

Also, U.S. cotton producers are at the forefront of adopting modern technology to reduce the long-term environmental footprint of cotton. New drought- and pest-resistant varieties of cotton are helping to reduce the amount of water and other inputs needed to grow cotton. Conservation tillage-reduced mechanical cultivation-prevents soil erosion, saves fuel and reduces the amount of CO² emitted into the air by an amount equivalent to removing over 27,000 cars from the road.

In addition to the environmental advantages of sustainable cotton production, the importance of cotton to the global economy cannot be ignored. Cotton is the largest natural fibre in the global fibre, textile and apparel economy, representing roughly 37 percent of all natural fibres consumed. Cotton globally represents hundreds of billions of dollars of economic activity and employs hundreds of millions of people from field to fabric, particularly in developing countries, and is often a principal contributor to local economies.

Through sustainable production practices, the U.S. cotton industry is working to ensure that cotton continues to fulfil its significant role in the global economy. The National Cotton Council (NCC), the parent organization of Cotton Council International (CCI), participates in numerous sustainability initiatives that develop metrics for the environment, economics and social responsibility for production agriculture. With the growing trend to follow a "greener" and more environmentally friendly lifestyle, cotton's natural fibre qualities, and the sustainable production of U.S. cotton, make it an important option for consumers to ensure future quality of life for themselves and the planet.

¹ Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, PL 101-624