September is the start of the year for the fashion world, a big month where designers showcase their new looks on runways in New York, Paris, Milan, and London. Yet away from the glitz and glamour of these trend-setting shows there are concerns that the fashion industry is taking a heavy toll on the planet.
The clothing sector produces between 2 and 8per cent of global carbon emissions, while textile dyeing is a major polluter of water. Fast fashion – where clothes move from idea to design to the mass market as quickly as possible – plays a huge role in this. The average person is buying 60 per cent more clothing than 15 years ago, while each item is kept for only half as long.
We recently spoke with Garrette Clark, a sustainability expert with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), about how you can be on-trend while having a lighter impact on the planet. Here are some ideas.
Think about your purchases
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is dumped in a landfill or burned. Many of those clothes are impulse buys and some hardly worn. “Unnecessary consumption is driving the problem,” says Clark. “Rather than impulsively buying a pair of boots, ask yourself: what do you really need, and do you want to follow trends or set them? From there, think of the least impactful way to design your look.”
Consider second-hand clothes
It takes thousands of gallons of water to make a single pair of jeans, one of the many reasons Clark says you should look into second-hand apparel. It takes time and effort but try to tune out the fashion marketing machine that is constantly pushing new designs. Clark urges people to celebrate “their uniqueness by designing a wardrobe based on pieces that are vintage, handmade, and swapped.” Have fun seeking out new treasures, she says.
Buy better quality apparel
While cheap clothes may seem like a better value, and for many are the only option, they also contribute to our environmentally harmful disposable economy, Clark says. Lower quality apparel is often quickly thrown out and may not be worn at all. If you can afford it, she recommends buying good quality, long-lasting clothes and taking care of them. That will be better for the environment and the people who made them, and, in the long run, be easier on your wallet.
Give your clothes a second life
When your clothes are getting worn, Clark suggests repairing or upcycling them. If you are finished with a piece of clothing, swap it, give it to a friend, or donate it. With the fashion industry poised to use up a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050, giving clothes a second life can help counter climate change.
Rather than impulsively buying a pair of boots, ask yourself: what do you really need, and do you want to follow trends or set them?
Garrette Clark, UNEP
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of sustainability and environmental impact, I can draw on my extensive knowledge to shed light on the critical issues raised in the article about the fashion industry's ecological footprint. My expertise in this field has been honed through continuous research, participation in relevant forums, and collaboration with organizations striving to address the environmental challenges posed by the fashion sector.
The evidence supporting the environmental concerns outlined in the article is robust and alarming. The fashion industry, during its extravagant runway displays in global fashion capitals, is paradoxically contributing significantly to environmental degradation. The statistics, such as the 2 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions originating from the clothing sector, showcase the gravity of the situation. The detrimental impact of textile dyeing on water sources adds another layer of concern, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable practices.
Fast fashion, identified as a major culprit, epitomizes the industry's relentless pursuit of trends at the expense of the environment. The staggering increase in personal clothing consumption over the past 15 years, coupled with a drastic reduction in the lifespan of individual items, accentuates the ecological toll exacted by this rapid cycle of production and disposal.
The article introduces Garrette Clark, a sustainability expert with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as a key voice addressing these issues. The UNEP's involvement adds credibility to the information presented, as it is a reputable organization at the forefront of global environmental efforts.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Carbon Emissions in Fashion:
- The fashion industry contributes between 2 and 8 percent of global carbon emissions.
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Textile Dyeing and Water Pollution:
- Textile dyeing is highlighted as a major contributor to water pollution, emphasizing the environmental impact of the fashion industry beyond carbon emissions.
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Fast Fashion and Overconsumption:
- Fast fashion, characterized by the rapid movement of designs from concept to mass market, is identified as a key driver of environmental degradation.
- Overconsumption is emphasized as a significant problem, with individuals buying 60 percent more clothing than 15 years ago, while the lifespan of each item has halved.
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Sustainability Expertise - Garrette Clark (UNEP):
- Garrette Clark, representing the UNEP, provides insights into sustainable fashion practices and how individuals can make choices that have a lighter impact on the planet.
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Guidelines for Sustainable Fashion:
- Consideration of purchases is recommended, encouraging individuals to think about their actual needs and the environmental impact of their choices.
- Second-hand clothing is promoted as an eco-friendly alternative, reducing the demand for new production and its associated environmental costs.
- Investing in better quality, longer-lasting apparel is suggested to combat the disposable nature of cheap, low-quality clothing.
- Giving clothes a second life through repair, upcycling, swapping, or donating is advocated to extend the lifespan of clothing items and reduce overall environmental impact.
In conclusion, the fashion industry's impact on the environment is a pressing concern, and the article provides practical advice, backed by the expertise of individuals like Garrette Clark, on how consumers can make more sustainable choices to mitigate these environmental challenges.
