Green peace has launched a new report that finds organic cotton farming in India is more profitable than growing genetically engineered varieties of cotton because of the higher input costs of GM and a greater potential for debt accumulation.  The full report, entitled “Picking Cotton”, can be viewed here.

The comparative study among cotton farmers in Andhra Pradesh, southern India, claims that farmers cultivating rain-fed cotton through organic practices earned 200% more net income than similar farmers who grew Genetically Engineered cotton [Bt cotton] in 2009/10.

Other results of the survey claim that the cost of cultivation is almost twice as expensive for Bt cotton farmers than for organic cotton farmers, both in 2008/09 and 2009/10. “The higher expense includes higher costs of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and interests for loans. Higher loan costs are a direct consequence of higher cost of inputs for cultivation for Bt cotton farmers,” the report reads.

It also says that during the period under study, farmers in Andrah Pradesh growing Bt cotton continue to use a large amount and variety of chemical pesticides, especially insecticides. “We recorded in total 26 different chemical pesticides used by Bt farmers,” said Greenpeace.

It was found that cotton yields do not differ significantly between Bt and organic cotton farmers, although in the favorable rainfall year, 2008/09, Bt cotton reached slightly higher yields than organic cotton -“But the small yield increase in Bt and chemically-intensive cotton farms does not translate into income benefit for the Bt farmer, due to high cultivation costs”.

The report contradicts other recent findings that have indicated the success of Bt cotton in reducing pesticide use. Agronomists that support the use of GM seeds also highlight the importance of utilizing multiple methodologies to deal with pest control and the consequent improvement of profitability as opposed to one single solution.
In the US, for example, broad toxic pesticide use has been almost completely eliminated in some regions where GM cotton is grown and where secondary insect pests have been controlled with a variety of other techniques.

Greenpeace says the objective of the study was not to undertake a technical analysis of the performance of the genetically-engineered Bt trait isolated from its surrounding circumstances, but more an analysis of what happens when farmers grow Bt cotton under the conditions faced by the majority of farmers in India (and other developing countries) – i.e. smallholding farms, rain-fed and poor.

It’s worth the read.  Enjoy!

                          

I won’t be giving out awards for the 10 best shopping tote  - and thankfully there are MANY out there now – because Patagonia’s Carry Y’all bag takes the prize!

I’ve used them all… canvas one, those free ones from the grocery store and l.l.bean boat bags – they are all great – but Patagonia’s bag folds up into a little pouch, weighs basically nothing (1.8oz.), it’s SUPER STRONG (I’ve put up to 40lbs in mines and it’s fine) and last but never the least, it’s made from leftover fabric scraps.

Thank you Patagonia for making such a great reusable bag. At $15, they make the perfect gift as well.

                          

I love partnerships between talented designers and NGO’s.  Monique Pean has partnered wtih CHARITY:WATER to create a line of fine jewelry to raise awareness for the more than 1.1 billion people in the world without access to safe and clean drinking water. Each piece from the collection provides clean drinking water to at least 10 people for 20 years. The line can be purchased at Barneys. Pictured above: Pink Tourmaline Ring $6750, Pink Tourmaline Bib Necklace $10,580.

                          

Dogeared’s eco-friendly projects include charm bracelets made from recyled silver and hemp – like this pretty plumeria charm bracelet – and notebooks made from recycled leather.  I ♥ them both!

                          

South Africa is exporting this colorful Fair Trade bracelet made from safety pins adorned with recycled telephone wire, computer cable scraps and plastic tubing.  The message the piece radiates is clear – recycled hand-made art can be affordable and pretty!  A friend of mine wore this the other day and it is too splendid to not share.  The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has other lovely jewels to check-out. Happy shopping! Price: $45

                          

I couldn’t go without sharing these perfectly chic totes ($82) from Mothology.  Made from handwoven cotton/hemp and using sturdy leather handles they are sure to wear-in well.  The perfect accessory for shopping, beach or a day walking around town.  Enjoy!

                          

The latest is NOT always the greatest! Sometimes thrift and vintage shopping can lead to amazing finds and Paige Mycoskie’s love of vintage t-shirts inspired her to create the California line Aviator Nation.  Her clothes are MADE IN USA with killer graphics silk screened onto super soft organic cotton.  Also, a portion of proceeds from the “Give Back” designs are given to AIDS research in Africa. What’s not to love?! The line is sold at Revolve Clothing, Aviator Nation’s website and is new to Bloomingdale’s.

                          

Funny, spreading the green word and my good friend Matty is in it. Couldn’t resist to post.

Check-out more hilarious videos by The Casual Mafia.

                          

I love discovering new lines (both fashion and beauty) when you least expect it and this line was truly a wonderful find. Summer arrived in the North East this weekend and I somehow forgot to prepare my skin for summer fashion.  On a mini-vacation this weekend in Philadelphia, while visiting my sister, I discovered a truly amazing certified organic body care line called, Whole Earth by eco-stylist Danny Seo in partnership with Boom llc and I absolutely love it!  The entire line of beauty and bath products is free of harmful ingredients including, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulphates (SLS), silicone, propylene glycol and it totally vegan and animal testing free.  You’ll find 12 amazing products consisting of Certified Organic Body Wash and Lotion, Natural Body Souffle, Natural Bamboo Body Scrub and Wash, a Natural Body Mist and Room Spray, and a Certified Organic Perfume Spray; all made using natural and certified organic ingredients. I was drawn to the cute packaging at first, that is made from 100% recycled plastic and I quickly sprayed a perfume cloud in the Antropologie in Rittenhouse Square.  The products smell rich, are non-greasy and completely luxurious.  I can’t wait to try them all.

                          

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the most important… I’d say it’s about a 3. Who cares about fashion when our unemployment rate is climbing to 9%, thousands have lost their homes and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight to the recession.  I believe the U.S. will be fine.  The top of the pyramid is always fine, but for the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) which accounts for the largest and poorest social-economic group who knows what lies ahead.  How can I write about beautiful luxury goods, even if they are green and environmentally friendly, when there is so much more at stake?  Some believe the solution to fighting poverty lies is successful BoP approaches for sustainable development.  This includes developing business partnerships with the poor so they are not the end consumer but producers.

This is where the fashion and textile sector can help.  Fair Trade goods are examples of forming viable partnerships with developing countries to encourage their growth and success.  For more information visit the World Fair Trade Organization. Women’s cooperative groups have been working hard and are finally starting to get the credit they deserve.  Ten Thousand Villages is a retailer that sells Fair Trade goods and below are examples of my favorite Fair Trade products. Check out Hagar Designs to purchase their Fair Trade goods here.  Every purchase helps “to foster hope for vulnerable women and children in crisis through holistic, transformational development and creative initiatives”.  So inspiring! Made, which sells in TopShop in London (in Oxford Circus) is one of my favorite lines.  When I lived in London, I would go to Top Shop just to shop the Made jewelry.  Their slogan “made by the people for the people”… sums it up quite nicely.  Beautiful local community-based design is empowering and the perfect medicine to escape our deflating economic bubble.