The environment is currently facing a lot of threats. The loss of diversity, deforestation, overpopulation and global warming are just among the heavy burden that the crucial resource has to bear.
The changes are becoming a concern to the population with many debates, especially climate change. But with plants like hemp, we can change the course of our future.
At the center of the whole issue, the depletion of resources is the leading cause. That is where hemp comes in to give solutions. When overcoming these challenges, the first consideration is the alternative sources with sustainability in mind.
Hemp crop shows the potential to meet the extreme demand for various products now and in the future. It offers bio-safe options and thus promises substantial benefits to the well-being of the environment and living organisms. One advantage of the crop is its potential to grow in various conditions. Therefore, scarcity would be fine if the world switched to its utilization.
Why Industrial Hemp has our Future
Paper
Did you know that a ton of standard office paper requires 24 trees? Hemp may not replace wooden paper, but it is a solution to deforestation.
Cosmetics
Among the benefits of hemp oil is the improvement of skin conditions. Most products, such as shampoos, lotions, and creams, incorporate it as an ingredient.
Fuel
Hemp will be an alternative energy source as a biofuel in the future. Therefore, it has the potential to reduce the depletion of resources while offering a sustainable solution.
Building Materials
Hempcrete is increasingly becoming popular in the construction industry. The tensile strength in the fiber makes it a suitable alternative in replacing the use of concrete.
Plastic Alternatives
Plastics take decades to degrade to the point that they no longer harm the environment. However, hemp plastic, whose strength is equivalent to regular plastic, is an eco-friendly biodegradable alternative.
Textiles
It is a concept introduced previously to have clothes from industrial hemp. It has been a norm since ancient times. The superiority here is due to the hemp fabrics being more robust than other textiles and production economics. The plant will require almost half of the water to produce over 200% more yield from hemp than cotton. Besides, hemp does not require chemical applications. It has a natural resistance to pests. If you grow cotton without pesticides, you are lucky if you harvest any high-quality fiber.
Animal Feed
Colorado was the first state to evaluate the possibility of hemp as an animal feed. Besides, a cattle farmer, David Wise, a cattle farmer, could feed his animals as early as 2005. Hemp has the potential to become a new cash crop in the future. Its growing model is more self-sustaining.
Food and beverages
Hemp seeds have high nutritional value. With a single seed containing more essential fats and proteins than walnuts, the plant has great potential for people keen on their diet.
Besides, if you don’t use animal products have a reason to smile, thanks to hemp. It is possible to make milk from the seeds of the plant. Besides, it is possible to distill into almost all alcoholic drinks.
Soil Aeration
Hemp exhibits its beneficial properties even as it grows. The plant can remove heavy metals and toxins around its roots. Besides, it also reduces the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by fixing it into the soil.
Medicinal Uses
The plant has minimal contents of THC, which leads to psychoactive effects. However, it is high in CBD, which has promising medicinal benefits.
Every part of the plant has a beneficial application. In all the applications, there is an aspect of reducing reliance on other resources facing depletion. The fact that hemp does well in various conditions means it can be grown globally.