The benefits of hemp growing have been known to humankind for thousands of years. Nowadays, most people are familiar with the health benefits of hemp growing.
But hemp is not just connected with cannabis consumption.
And yet, the benefits hemp has to the environment were largely overlooked. In recent years, the environment has risen up the agenda. Many people are looking for sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to do things differently.
Many people are starting to look to hemp for the answer. Since hemp doesn’t require any specific climate or type of soil, it can be grown anywhere in the world. And this is exactly what has happened. Keep reading to find out more about how hemp growing can help the environment.
Eating Hemp for Nutrition
The process of meat production is one of the most significant contributors to global climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Because of this, many scientists have urged people to reduce meat consumption. As a result, many protein alternatives, such as quinoa and soya, have become popular among consumers.
However, hemp is also a protein alternative. But unlike other alternatives, hemp growing does not cause soil erosion, a significant problem in agriculture.
Many farmers also use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to produce many types of crops. But hemp growing doesn’t require any of these measures, which means it has a lighter touch on the planet.
For hemp plant produces an up to 7000 seeds. Hemp grows almost 800 pounds of seeds for every acre. This means that hemp growing has a higher yield than many other crops.
Only a quarter of the hemp seed is made up of proteins. The two proteins in hemp are called albumin and edestin. However, in contrast to the proteins in soy, the proteins in hemp are easy to digest for humans.
Hemp can be an important part of a healthy, nutritional diet. It includes many vitamins as well as:
- Omega 3, 6, 9
- GLA
- All 9 of the amino acids
- Antioxidants
- Fibre
- Iron
- Zinc
In contrast to other protein sources, hemp doesn’t contain “oligosaccharides”. This is carbohydrate that causes gas and stomach aches.
There are also many health benefits associated with cannabis consumption. However, if you consume hemp, even Rapid Detect INC won’t identify drugs in your system. Hemp on its own is not a drug.
As a Paper Alternative
Did you know that the first was made from hemp? The first paper was created around 140-87 BC in Ancient China. And yet, humans stopped hemp growing for paper and started to use wood pulp.
However, this is bad news for the environment!
Only a third of a tree contains cellulose. This means that to strip the wood pulp from the tree, toxic chemicals are used. This is one of the main causes of water pollution.
This is significant since the world’s paper and pulp industry makes up around 4 percent of global energy use. And the industry also requires more water than any other.
There is also the problem of waste. After all, approximately 40% of total waste in landfill is made up of paper.
So why is hemp is the solution?
Hemp only requires only a single acre of land to produce the same amount as paper as up to four acres of trees. A greater part of hemp is made up of cellulose, that means that it doesn’t require anywhere near the same amount of chemicals to pulp.
While paper made from pulped wood can only be recycled a maximum of three times, hemp paper can be recycled up to seven times. This is because of the stronger fibers that make up the end product.
A Sustainable Textile
Fabrics made from hemp growing are more sustainable than many alternatives. This is because they are resistant to mold, mildew and UV light. Plus, unlike other textiles, you don’t need to use any chemicals on hemp fabrics.
The durability quality of hemp has seen it used as a fabric for a whole host of purposes. In the past, hemp has been used to make ropes and sails for boats.
For the same reason, it was a great material for ropes and sails, it’s great for making sustainable clothing. You can mix hemp fabrics with other fabrics to enhance the durability of the clothing.
This makes it a key player in the future of sustainable fashion.
Clean Air and Soil
Hemp is also good for our soil. When hemp leaves decompose on the earth, the majority of the nutrients in the leaves go into the soil. Best of all, this process takes a fraction of the time it takes for trees to undergo the same cycle.
Hemp can also be used for phytoremediation. That means it can be used to remove the contaminants in the ground.
Industry and Building
The concrete and cement construction industry is also a significant source of air pollution and climate change. Therefore, the industry is eager to find alternative sources of materials so they can keep building our cities.
Hemp could be part of the solution to this problem.
By mixing hemp hurds with a solution of water and limestone, a concrete-like substance is created. After some time, the material solidifies. This makes it resistant to damage from earthquakes and extreme weather.
The material can also absorb the heat from the sun. This means that buildings constructed with this hemp mixture are comfortable for the occupants regardless of the weather outside.
The Benefits of Hemp Growing for the Environment
Most people are unaware of the many practical uses for hemp. However, an even greater number of people don’t know that hemp offers an environmentally friendly alternative to many of our current environmental damaging activities.
With the many benefits of hemp growing for the environment in mind, we can alter the way many of our current ways, from making paper to our diets.
To find out more about how to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle, get in touch with us today.
