Hemp is proving to be the fabric with the lowest ecological footprint
Hemp can grow nearly anywhere globally, in different soil types, even in short growing seasons or in dry regions - without pesticides
Why is hemp ecological?
Hemp has a yield per hectare 2.5 times higher than cotton in terms of fibers, and it is a short cycle crop, needing 90 to 120 days to grow, depending on the variety and climatic conditions. This, and the fact that it can repair damaged soils by reversing the effects of compaction and erosion and returns 60% of nutrients, gives it the ability to regenerate soil, a process known as phytoremediation, which uses green plants and the associated microorganisms to either remove toxic environmental contaminants or render them harmless. Hemp is a self-offsetting crop that traps CO2 from the atmosphere, with a ratio of 1.63 tons of CO2 for every ton of hemp produced and it is greener than other viable fibers such as bamboo or organic cotton. According to the Stockholm Environment Institute, the water required to produce 1kg of hemp is between 300 and 500 liters, compared to the 10,000 liters required to produce 1kg of cotton, which, if not organic, also needs pesticides which pollute the soil and the groundwater surrounding the cotton fields, harming wildlife and plants. In addition to this, hemp productivity provides higher returns of up to 3 tons of fiber per hectare compared to 1.35 tons of cotton per hectare.
Global warming and hemp
Global warming as a result of climate change has become a major concern for people all over the world. It has recently drawn the attention of the entire conscious community, with the fear that if not addressed properly, it will result in the extinction of numerous species around the world. At the same time, it will pose a threat to human health, food security, living environment and standard of living. Thereby, possible solutions are being explored accordingly; regulations have been imposed in places binding green production practices, limiting the emission of CO2 and emphasis is given on renewable resources along with the search for alternatives to carbon-positive materials. Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) has received a lot of attention because of its multipurpose usability, short production cycle, low capital demand in cultivation, possibility of carbon-negative transformation and easy carbon sequestering material. All of this sets hemp as a very promising renewable resource including its potential uses in the paper, textiles, composites, biofuel, and food industry.