IMAGINE A LAKE TWELVE TIMES LARGER THAN SWEDEN’S LARGEST, LAKE VÄNERN. WE ARE REFERRING TO THE ARAL SEA, LOCATED IN CENTRAL ASIA. IT WAS ONCE THE WORLD’S FOURTH-LARGEST LAKE, TEEMING WITH A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM OF ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH. THE FERTILE SOIL IN IT’S VICINITY SUPPORTED ROBUST CROP CULTIVATION, AND EVEN COTTON PLANTS THRIVED HERE, ESTABLISHING A THRIVING COTTON INDUSTRY DURING THE 70S.
The problem with the cotton plant is that it requires substantial amounts of water. To be able to produce cheap cotton, efficiency was needed, an efficiency that only sometimes takes into account what happens next. They irrigated the cotton fields by diverting the water’s flows from rivers, streams, and streams. They would spray with pesticides and insecticides to make the cotton grow faster and not be infested by pests. These pesticides do not disappear but follow down into groundwater and watercourses.
We see the result now. Today, less than ten per cent of the Aral Sea remains. The main reason is the irrigation of these large-scale cotton plantations. The wind spreads large amounts of dried salt, fertilizers, and pesticides and poisons the soil and groundwater. Sharply reduced fish stocks, poverty, and one of the world’s highest child mortality rates are just some consequences of our focus on making large-scale, efficient, and, above all, cheap. Ironically, it will be highly costly in the end.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event, and if we don’t do anything, there is a risk that several lakes will face the same fate with even more human suffering as a result.
But fortunately, there is hope, and Earth can heal. But then, we must all help create change. Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something! If one starts, several will often get started and just talking about what you just read will affect you in the right direction.
All positive changes make a difference!
Only by making conscious choices when we consume in general and how we buy cotton goods, in particular, do we take the first important step. If we make an effort to rethink and break old patterns, we can help keep the environment as happy as possible. Then, we can prevent more environmental disasters like this.
