Planet Blog
How is the planet linked to the fashion industry? The 2.5-billion-dollar fashion industry is contributing greatly to the current climate crisis. It produces 20% of water waste and 10% of global carbon emissions which is more than aviation and shipping combined. Micro-trends and the accessibility of fast fashion have led to fast rates of trend adoption and rejection, and while it offers affordability and constant novelty to consumers, it also takes a heavy toll on the environment. (Gwilt, 2020).
Due to this, we must work towards a circular economy in which we reuse and regenerate materials to continue production in a more sustainable way, rather than repurchasing and throwing garments to landfill. ‘’Today people buy 60% more and keep their purchases half as long compared to 20 years ago, according to a McKinsey study.’’ (WGSN, 2023).
To address these issues, sustainability within the fashion industry has gained momentum. Sustainable fashion aims to minimize the impact on the environment and maximise positive contributions. Some examples of this are use of eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing. Sustainable brands use organic, recycled, or renewable materials for their clothing which reduces the environmental footprint of production. Also, prioritizing fair labour practices and ensuring that workers receive fair and safe working conditions.
The UN sustainable development goals report highlights key transformations needed in different sectors to achieve a more sustainable way of living. One SDG that relates to the fashion industry is ‘responsible consumption and production’. The planet is running out of resources; however, the population is still growing. If the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, we will need the equivalent of 3 planets of resources to sustain our current lifestyles. On average, it takes over 2700 litres of water to produce 1 t-shirt, 10,000 litres of water to produce a pair of jeans, and about 50 million people on this planet have no access to water. Don’t throw away clothes because they are no longer ‘trendy’.
Sustainability in fashion is not a trend, it is a necessity for the health of the planet and its people. How future generations deal with overabundance, fair labour practices, and environmental concerns is of paramount importance to the well-being of the planet (Hethorn and Ulasewicz, 2015). As more consumers and brands embrace more sustainable practices, we can create a fashion industry that values the environment and workers.
REFERENCES:
Gwilt, A. (2020). Practical Guide To Sustainable Fashion. S.L.: Ava Academia. [Accessed 3rd October 2023].
Hethorn, J. and Ulasewicz, C. (2015). Sustainable fashion : what’s next? : a conversation about issues, practices and possibilities. New York: Bloomsbury, Fairchild Books, An Imprint Of Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. [Accessed 4th October 2023].
Moran, G. (2022) Sustainability and the Consumer 2022 report, Drapers. Available at: https://www.drapersonline.com/insight/drapers-bespoke/sustainability-and-the-consumer-2022-report. [Accessed 3rd October 2023].
United Nations (2023) Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, United Nations Sustainable Development. United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/. [Accessed 5th October 2023].
WGSN (2023) Challenging Overconsumption: Shifts & Strategies. Available at: https://www.wgsn.com/insight/article/6510c1fece88e0e28f22f744 [Accessed 6th October 2023].