The activities of humans over the years have resulted in terrible damage to the climate. This explains why there are occurrences like global warming, pollution, natural disasters, etc. Many choices and production methods contribute to the planet’s degradation, which calls for a solution to save the earth.
This is where the hemp plant comes in. It is a renewable crop that has people farmed centuries ago. It has been long cultivated due to the series of benefits to man and the environment. The composition, characteristics, and byproducts of this plant are instrumental, but they also save the planet.
The hemp plant stands out to provide a viable and more sustainable alternative to many products we use today and even save the environment in the process. Hemp plastic, biodiesel, paper, fabrics, etc., are a few of many byproducts of this magic plant that are sustainable and pretty friendly to the environment. Here are ways in which hemp can save the environment.
Hemp Gives Back to the Earth
Many crops that humans cultivate today extract nutrients from the ground. Continuous cultivation of such crops year after year significantly depletes soil nutrients without allowing time for recovery. This leads to soil degradation, which eventually affects the quality of food products from the plant.
Unlike other plants, hemp gives back many of its nutrients to the earth, which leaves the soil fertile and healthier. Moreover, hemp can even be used for a process known as phytoremediation – getting rid of excess selenium from the ground, thus cleaning up the environment.
Hemp Sucks Heavy Metals and CO2
Another way in which the hemp plant stands out is in its ability to reduce greenhouse gases. Hemp sucks an incredibly high level of carbon dioxide compared to other plants. This increased carbon intake rate triggers a process known as carbon sequestration, which involves the absorption of emissions.
The plant does not only get rid of carbon from the atmosphere, but it also removes toxins and other dangerous metals from the earth, which makes the soil fertile. Hemp has been used as a plant to clean up the earth in places exposed to radiation; this is similar to the way shrooms have helped to clear away radiation.
Hemp can be an alternative fuel source
The earth and almost all nations of the world depend heavily on fossil fuels. These wrecks significantly damage the soil because extracting crude oil results in significant damage to the environment. Also, the conversion of crude oil to other by-products does not help matters. When humans eventually use fossil fuel like natural gas or petrol, it releases massive greenhouse gases causing significant pollution.
However, hemp stands out as a viable alternative to fossil fuel because it is practical, natural, and environmentally friendly. Hemp gives biodiesel, which can replace much fuel we use today. This biodiesel that comes from industrial hemp is a by-product of the hemp seed. After extraction, the seed will be discarded, which one can use for biofuel. This reduces waste and also saves the environment.
A More Sustainable Source of Plastic
Plastic is one of the significant sources of pollutants in the world. The source of most plastic today is fossil fuel, which takes an alarmingly long period to decompose. This does not help the environment when you consider that the number of plastic waste available increases at an alarming rate. Again, hemp can be pivotal in saving the earth as we can get bottles and grocery bags from hemp. Organic hemp cellulose fiber is a good source of hemp plastic. It is an organic material that is biodegradable.
Even though a complete hemp plastic is a complicated process, a combination of hemp and other plant fiber is still a viable option that many companies like Coca Cola have adopted. Plant fiber and hemp plastic will go a long way to reduce the plastic waste that gets to landfills. Also, since this alternative is made from plant material, it will be easy for microorganisms to break it down.
A Good Source of textile, Rope, and Fabrics
Over the years, one of the primary uses of hemp is producing clothing materials, fabric and canvas. In the iron age, humans used textiles extensively, and hemp rope was used in boats then. Although some companies still use hemp as a textile-like Sanuk, polyester, and cotton have taken over the textile industries. Yet, cotton grown conventionally supports soil erosion, encourages soil depletion, and uses many insecticides. All these processes and activities do not help the environment.
On the other hand, such a compound is a viable alternative as the fabric from one acre of hemp is equivalent to the product of 2 or three acres of cotton. Hemp is strong and four times warmer than cotton, and its fabric does not wear out or weaken with every wash. Moreover, hemp clothing is breathable, fire-resistant, odor-resistant, and protects from UV rays.
Conclusion
Many processes and activities of man have negatively affected the environment. The good news is that hemp is a magical plant that can reverse much of this damage if tapped into. Its unique properties can reduce some of the negative impacts of humans’ activities on the planet.
This post was written by Emma Wilson, a content specialist with a focus on health and wellness.
