Hemp is the new talk of the town. You must have heard about it but not given much attention because of its association with its nefarious cousin ‘weed’. Well, let us tell you, despite coming from the same source, they are not all the same. Hemp is the wonder plant that is incredibly sustainable and ultimately versatile and used in creating a number of resourceful things. These include everything from your medicines to cosmetics, clothes to concrete, bioplastics, paint and other things. Not just is it resourceful, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for our environment. Here’s how:
- Prevents pesticide pollution
Are you aware that pesticides that are sprayed on land can easily seep into water sources such as ponds, rivers, or the ocean? And they end up contaminating the water body harming the aquatic life along with anyone consuming this water. However, the good thing is industrial hemp is naturally resistant to pests, unlike cotton and flax.
- Restores soil fertility
Another great thing about Hemp is that you can grow it in a variety of terrains and soil types. That said, it prevents soil erosion as it holds the soil firmly together. It also increases the microbial content of the soil. So, rather than taking much from the motherland, it actually returns back more.
- Reduces effects of carbon emissions
Industrial hemp is not called a wonder plant for no reason. It is unique in the sense it is capable of reducing carbon emissions through rapid carbon dioxide intake. When hemp is cultivated, it actually captures carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Moreover, it also helps trap carbon from the air into plants. Basically, around 1.63 tons of carbon are removed from the atmosphere from every ton of hemp produced.
- Conserves water
Water scarcity is one of the prominent issues harming the planet. There is not enough water available for all humans to use, which is quite a troubling fact. It takes around 5,000 gallons of water to produce around 2 pounds of cotton. In fact, cotton is said to be one of the plants that are most dependent on water, meaning it is quickly depleting our limited water resources. On the other side, Hemp requires minimal water for cultivation compared to cotton.
- Prevents deforestation
Deforestation is rising at an alarming rate around the world. It is predicted by the scientists that after a few years they will be no rainforests left. Now, that’s something to worry about. However, there is still some hope in the form of Hemp. It can easily replace trees as a raw material for your wood and paper. Cause around one acre of hemp can produce as much paper for you as four acres of trees. So, why not use Hemp?
Though Humankind has been cultivating hemp for thousands of years, its use has become more prominent now only. And it’s time we all switch and stick to hemp products to save our planet from a number of environmental troubles. So, let’s embrace hemp with open arms.
