Foods labeled as organic are often marketed as eco-friendly options, but organic food production is anything but eco-friendly. Organic foods are supposed to be grown without the use of pesticides, but pesticides help farmers grow food more efficiently, with fewer plants yielding more food. 

When organic foods are grown without pesticides, they tend to have lower yields and require more land. The need for more land results in deforestation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and increased food waste as organic produce tends to rot more rapidly. One study found that organic produce emits 21 percent more greenhouse gases because of the need for additional land. 

This post is part of a weekly series on environmental myths. You can find more myths here.