Choosing organic products is probably the best thing we can do for the environment and ourselves.
Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops using more agricultural chemicals then than any other crop per unit. Did you know, that it takes 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans? Not only it is bad for our planet, it is also a huge health hazard for cotton field workers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton farming.

Organic cotton, on the other hand, uses agricultural methods designed to help sustain the land it grows on, the people who grow and harvest it, and the planet in general. Composting, frequent crop rotations and other strategies replace synthetic fertilizers to keep the soil healthy and productive.Rather than attempting to eradicate all insects with chemicals, organic farmers cultivate a diversity of natural enemies which prey on insect pests, and lure pests away from cotton by planting trap crops. Organic cotton field workers aren't exposed to toxic chemicals while active in the field, and no nasty chemicals are getting into the water supply of those who live nearby.

If the above information is not convincing enough, this might do the job:
In some cotton producing countries, most of the cotton picking is done by children, sometimes as young as seven. Read more on children's labour here.

If you have a baby, consider this:

Each baby needs up to 6000 diaper changes over the course of 2-3 years.

There are 18 billions tons of disposable diapers are used in the States alone... in ONE year.

Disposable diapers are buried in our landfills, where they stay for hundreds of years.

If you really care about what kind of world your child will live in, consider using cloth diapering system. Really, it's a lot easier than many people think! You will also end up saving a lot of money, yes, even with those two extra laundry piles each week. Cloth diapers come in many shapes, colours and styles to satisfy even the most picky parent.

Be kind to our planet - choose products that offer value, function and respect for the environment. Not only will you feel good about yourself, you will also leave a cleaner, healthier world for your kids.

About Cotton...

As soft and comfy as cotton is, the cultivation of non-organic cotton is a toxic nightmare. Over 1/4 of all the pesticides used in modern agriculture are applied to the modern cotton plant. This stuff contains some of the nastiest compounds known to a man, including cyanide. Five out of nine major pesticides used in cotton production are proven cancer causing chemicals and all nine are classified by EPA as TYPE 1 and TYPE 2 - the most dangerous listing out there.

Consider organic hemp for your baby's cloth diapering system.
Hemp is a popular choice in fabric for a cloth diaper for so many reasons, including:

· Hemp absorbs moisture far better then synthetic fibres.

· Hemp has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties.

· It is very breathable and non-allergenic.

Hemp does not require pesticides or fertilizers and needs very little water to grow. Unlike other plants, hemp enriches soil it is growing on instead of depleting it of nutrients.

It takes about 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and herbicides to grow enough conventional cotton for just one T-shirt! Many of which are known human cancirogens - acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin. By choosing organically grown cotton we protect ourselves, our planet and our children's future from all these chemicals. Support Pesticide Action Network - Advancing Alternatives to Perticides Worldwide. PAN has earned Charity's Navigator's highest 4-star rating, which means your donations will go directly to help eradicate the most toxic pesticides on the planet. For every donation of $50 or more you will receive a beautiful organic cotton shopping tote. Additionally you will receive PAN North America magazine three times a year.