The argument between organic foods versus commercial foods rages on and on. One of the pro points organic food supporters try using is the 'organic food and the environment benefits' argument. So is there any substance to this? Does organic food and the environment go hand in hand with each other.

Personally, I eat organic food whenever I can. Is say 'whenever I can' because I am still at times shackled by the inflated cost of organic foods ( they are more expensive - no argument there, they probably will always remain more expensive ). There are still a number of my friends who do not understand my reasoning behind my choice and I try to explain my reasoning.

The main reason for me is organic food and the environment. After not leaving Televisions on standby and making sure you turn off house lights why wouldn't you turn your environmental concerns to your eating habits. Farming techniques that revolve around organic foods are known to produce less Co2 - that means less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. How can this not be a good thing?

Pesticides are one of the main arguments when it comes to organic food and the environment. They are not used in organic farming whatsoever. Now think about the actual transport of the used pesticides in commercial farming - how much energy does that use. My argument here is that organic foods need less 'energy' to be produced. There are reports that as well as less energy you also need less water - better for the environment again!

Crops are grown in the ground right? We all agree on this. There are aquaponic and hydroponic systems that can be used but mass production of crops is usually done in soiled land. My point here is that organic food is much better for the soil than conventional crops. Why, mainly pesticides again. The pollution of the soil with pesticides will lead to natural ground-water pollution - Fact!. The water that ends up in our homes will contain pesticide effected water due to some commercial crop methods.

The water is not the only thing effected here - pesticides also destroy the health of the actual soil/dirt you have grown in. What happens when the crops are harvested - the ground is used to produce again. Imagine the low quality of this food. Organic food and the environment is a very important consideration if you worry about the environment - can you really put a price on that?