The Environmental Costs of Cotton

The Environmental Costs of Cotton Chances are that on any given day we wear some clothing items made of cotton, or sleep in cotton sheets, yet few of us know how it is grown, or what are  the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation. Where Is Cotton Grown? Cotton is a fiber grown on a plant of the Gossypium genus, which once harvested can be cleaned and spun into fabrics used most commonly for linens and clothing. Needing sunshine, abundant water, and relatively frost-free winters, cotton is grown in a surprising variety of location with diverse climates, including  Australia, Argentina, West Africa, and Uzbekistan. However, the largest producers of cotton are China, India, and the United States. Both Asian countries produce the most, mostly for their domestic markets, and the US is the largest exporter of cotton with about 10 million bales a year. In the United States cotton production is mostly concentrated in an area called the Cotton Belt, stretching from the lower Mississippi River through an arc spanning the lowlands of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Irrigation allows additional acreage in the Texas Panhandle, in southern Arizona, and in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Chemical Warfare Globally, 35 million hectares of cotton are under cultivation. To control the numerous pests feeding on the cotton plant  farmers have long relied on heavy application of insecticides, which leads to the pollution of surface and groundwater. In developing countries cotton growers use a full half of the pesticides used in agriculture. Recent advancements in technology, including the ability to modify the cotton plant’s genetic material, have made cotton toxic to some of its pest. This reduced but did not eliminate the need for insecticides. Farm workers, particularly where the labor is less mechanized, continue to be exposed to harmful chemicals. Competing weeds are another threat to cotton production; generally tilling practices and herbicides are used to knock back weeds. A large number of farmers have adopted genetically modified cotton seeds that include a gene protecting it from the herbicide glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup). That way, the fields can be sprayed with the herbicide when the plant is young, easily eliminating competition from weeds.   Naturally, glyphosate ends up in the environment, and our knowledge of its effects on soil health, aquatic life, and wildlife is far from complete. Another issue is the emergence of glyphosate resistant weeds. This is an especially important concern for those farmers interested in following no-till practices, which normally help preserve the soil structure and reduce erosion. Reliance on glyphosate resistance makes it more difficult to control weeds without turning the soil. Especially problematic in the southeast US is Palmer’s amaranth pigweed, a fast growing glyphosate resistant weed. Synthetic Fertilizers Conventionally grown cotton requires the heavy use of synthetic fertilizers. Such concentrated application means much of it ends up in waterways, creating one of the worst nutrient pollution problems globally, upending aquatic communities and leading to dead zones starved of oxygen and devoid of aquatic life. In addition, synthetic fertilizers contribute an important quantity of greenhouse gases during their production and use. Heavy Irrigation In many regions rainfall is insufficient to grow cotton but the deficit can be made up by irrigating the fields with water from nearby rivers or from wells. Wherever it comes from, the water withdrawals can be so massive that they diminish river flows significantly and deplete groundwater. Two thirds of India’s cotton production is irrigated with groundwater. In the United States, western cotton farmers too rely on irrigation. Obviously, one could question the appropriateness of growing a non-food crop in arid portions of California and Arizona during the current multi-year drought. In the Texas Panhandle, cotton fields are irrigated by pumping water from the Ogallala Aquifer. Spanning eight states from South Dakota to Texas, this vast underground sea of ancient water is being drained for agriculture far faster than it can recharge. In northwest Texas, Ogallala groundwater levels have dropped over 8 feet between 2004 and 2014. Perhaps the most dramatic overuse of irrigation water is visible in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where the Aral Sea declined in surface area by 85%. Livelihoods, wildlife habitats, and fish populations have been decimated. To make matters worse the now dry salt and pesticide residues are blown away from the former fields and lake bed, increasing the frequency of miscarriages and malformations among the 4 million people who live downwind. Another negative consequence of heavy irrigation is soil salination. When fields are repeatedly flooded with irrigation water, salt becomes concentrated near the surface. Plants can no longer grow on these soils and agriculture has to be abandoned. Salination has happened on a large scale in much of the former cotton fields of Uzbekistan. Are There Environmentally Friendly Alternatives? To grow environmentally friendlier cotton, a first step must be to reduce the use of dangerous  pesticides. This can be achieved through different means. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an established, effective method of fighting pests which results in a net reduction in pesticides used. According to the World Wildlife Fund, using IPM saved some of India’s cotton farmers 60 to 80% in pesticide use.  Genetically-modified cotton can also help reduce pesticide application, but with many caveats.   In its simplest form growing cotton in a  sustainable manner  means planting it where rainfall is sufficient, avoiding irrigation altogether. In areas with marginal irrigation needs, drip irrigation offers important water savings. Organic farming takes into consideration all aspects of cotton production, leading to much reduced environmental impacts and better health outcomes for the farm workers and the surrounding community.  A well-recognized organic certification program helps consumers making smart choices, and protects them from greenwashing. One such third-party certification organization is  the Global Organic Textile Standards. Sources World Wildlife Fund. 2013. Cleaner, Greener Cotton: Impacts and Better Management Practices.

Major General Robert E. Rodes - American Civil War

Major General Robert E. Rodes - American Civil War Robert E. Rodes - Early Life Career: Born March 29, 1829 in Lynchburg, VA, Robert Emmett Rodes was the son of David and Martha Rodes.   Raised in the area, he elected to attend the Virginia Military Institute with an eye towards a military career.   Graduating in 1848, ranked tenth in a class of twenty-four, Rodes was asked to remain at VMI as an assistant professor.   Over the next two years he taught a variety of subjects including physical science, chemistry, and tactics.   In 1850, Rodes departed the school after failing to secure a promotion to professor.   This instead went to his future commander, Thomas J. Jackson. Traveling south, Rodes found employment with a series of railroads in Alabama.   In September 1857, he married Virginia Hortense Woodruff of Tuscaloosa.   The couple would ultimately have two children.   Serving as the chief engineer of the Alabama Chattanooga Railroad, Rodes held the post until 1861.   With the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter and beginning of the Civil War that April, he offered his services to the state of Alabama.   Appointed colonel of the 5th Alabama Infantry, Rodes organized the regiment at Camp Jeff Davis in Montgomery that May. Robert E. Rodes - Early Campaigns: Ordered north, Rodes regiment served in Brigadier General Richard S. Ewells brigade at the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21.   Recognized by General P.G.T. Beauregard as an excellent officer, Rodes received a promotion to brigadier general on October 21.   Assigned to Major General Daniel H. Hills division, Rodes brigade joined General Joseph E. Johnstons army in early 1862 for the defense of Richmond.   Operating against Major General George B. McClellans Peninsula Campaign, Rodes first led his new command in combat at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31.   Mounting a series of attacks, he sustained a wound in his arm and was forced from the field.    Ordered to Richmond to recover, Rodes rejoined his brigade early and led it at the Battle of Gaines Mill on June 27.   Not fully healed, he was force to leave his command a few days later prior to the fighting at Malvern Hill.   Out action until late that summer, Rodes returned to the Army of Northern Virginia as General Robert E. Lee commenced his invasion of Maryland. On September 14, his brigade mounted a stiff defense at Turners Gap during the Battle of South Mountain.   Three days later, Rodes men turned back Union assaults against the Sunken Road at the Battle of Antietam.   Wounded by shell fragments during the fighting, he remained at his post.   Later that fall, Rodes was present at the Battle of Fredericksburg, but his men were not engaged. Robert E. Rodes - Chancellorsville Gettysburg: In January 1863, Hill was transferred to North Carolina.   Though the corps commander, Jackson, desired to give command of the division to Edward Allegheny Johnson, this officer could not accept due to wounds sustained at McDowell.   As a result, the position fell to Rodes as the senior brigade commander in the division.   The first division commander in Lees army to not have attended West Point, Rodes repaid Jacksons confidence at the Battle of Chancellorsville in early May.   Spearheading Jacksons audacious flank attack against Major General Joseph Hookers Army of the Potomac, his division shattered Major General Oliver O. Howards XI Corps.   Severely wounded in the fighting, Jackson requested that Rodes be promoted to major general before dying on May 10. With the loss of Jackson, Lee reorganized the army and Rodes division moved into Ewells newly-formed Second Corps.   Advancing into Pennsylvania in June, Lee ordered his army to concentrate around Cashtown in early July.   Obeying this order, Rodes Division was moving south from Carlisle on July 1 when word was received of fighting at Gettysburg.   Arriving north of the town, he deployed his men on Oak Hill facing the right flank of Major General Abner Doubledays I Corps.   Through the day, he launched a series of disjointed attacks which suffered heavy losses before finally dislodging Brigadier General John C. Robinsons division and elements of XI Corps.   Pursuing the enemy south through the town, he halted his men before they could assault Cemetery Hill.   Though tasked with supporting attacks on Cemetery Hill the next day, Rodes and his men played little role in the rest of the battle. Robert E. Rodes - Overland Campaign: Active in the Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns that fall, Rodes continued to lead his division in 1864.   In May, he helped opposed Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grants Overland Campaign at the Battle of the Wilderness where the division attacked Major General Gouverneur K. Warren V Corps.   A few days later, Rodes division took part in the savage fighting at the Mule Shoe Salient at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.   The remainder of May saw the division participate in the fighting at North Anna and Cold Harbor.   After reaching Petersburg in early June, Second Corps, now led by Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early, received orders to depart for the Shenandoah Valley. Robert E. Rodes - In the Shenandoah:         Tasked with defending the Shenandoah and drawing troops away from the siege lines at Petersburg, Early moved down (north) the valley sweeping aside Union forces.   Crossing the Potomac, he then sought to menace Washington, DC.   Marching east, he engaged Major General Lew Wallace at Monocacy on July 9.   In the fighting, Rodes men moved along the Baltimore Pike and demonstrated against Jug Bridge.   Overwhelming Wallaces command, Early then reached Washington and skirmished against Fort Stevens before withdrawing back into Virginia.   The efforts of Earlys troops had the desired effect as Grant dispatched sizable forces north with orders to eliminate the Confederate threat in the Valley. In September, Early found himself opposed by Major General Philip H. Sheridans Army of the Shenandoah.   Concentrating his forces at Winchester, he tasked Rodes with holding the Confederate center.   On September 19, Sheridan opened the Third Battle of Winchester and commenced a large-scale attack against the Confederate lines.   With Union troops driving back both of Earlys flanks, Rodes was cut down by an exploding shell as he worked to organize a counterattack.   Following the battle, his remains were taken back to Lynchburg where he was buried at the  Presbyterian Cemetery.         Ã‚   Selected Sources VMIs Civil War Generals: Robert E. RodesGettysburg Generals: Robert E. RodesNPS: Robert E. Rodes