Good for the world?

Apparently 20,000 women queued in London yesterday to buy a cotton shopping bag from Sainsbury supermarkets. Between 8am and 9am they all sold out completely.

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/environment/2007/04/bag-for-life-or-just-this-season.html

In a conversation with my colleage Tim this morning I learned that the second biggest exporter of cotton in the world is Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan also has poor human rights records. Apparently the farmers are forced to grow cotton, get paid well below market price and the government takes the profit.

http://www.ejfoundation.org/page142.html

Anyone buying cotton should check that the it comes from sustainable sources. I have no idea if the cotton in these bags does or not. Cotton is not always what it seems... it is the worlds most polluting crop. I'll see if I can find out.

So make up your own mind, were these 20,000 people doing the right thing? Is there any Uzbekistan cotton in your clothing? You really should have the right to know I believe.