Planet
Our precious planet Earth is a priceless gem that is filled with prospects. But it has been harmed by the very sectors that support our contemporary way of life, particularly the fashion industry. In fashion, trends come and go however, its impact on the planet remains. A report by the UN, on October 8, 2018, sounded an alarm: “We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe…” Urgent changes are needed to combat extreme heat, drought, floods, and poverty, warns the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (The Gaurdian, 2018)
The annual CO2 emissions from the textiles industry only are 1.2 billion tonnes. About 85% of textiles end up in landfills i.e. 21 billion tonnes year. Annually the fashion industry produces 120 billion garments which outnumbers the 8 billion people on the planet.
The idea of a circular economy was developed in response to the urgency of the issue. This was done in order to envision a society where resources are continuously recycled and waste is kept to a minimum. A circular economy, an economic system that attempts to reduce waste and encourage sustainable practises, is based on this fundamental principle. A circular economy in the context of fashion promotes recycling, upcycling, and reuse of clothing to considerably lessen the environmental impact.
Sustainability is the foundation of circular economy. Sustainability in fashion refers to the idea of creating, consuming, and wearing clothing in ways that do not harm but rather benefit the environment. It includes resource management that is ethical, a smaller carbon footprint, and ethical labour practises.
SDG 12 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) emphasises on ethical consumption and production. It promotes environmentally responsible manufacturing, gives consumers more authority over their purchasing decisions, and works to eliminate waste and the negative effects it has on the environment.
There is a documentary which was published in 2022 called ‘The True Cost’. This documentary film explores the environmental and social impact of fast fashion. It delves into the exploitation of labor and the environmental consequences of the fashion industry, providing a powerful visual narrative to show how the fashion demands harm the planet.
In conclusion, we must demand change as customers because the fashion industry is at a turning point. We can design a future where fashion meets responsibility by embracing the ideas of a circular economy, promoting sustainability, and backing SDG 12.
References:
The True Cost. (2022). Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/rwp0Bx0awoE?si=qDoYxlf7gcJKHMUJ
Watts, J. (2018, October 8). We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe, warns UN | Climate crisis | The Guardian. Amp.theguardian.com. https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). A NEW TEXTILES ECONOMY: REDESIGNING FASHION’S FUTURE. https://archive.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/A-New-Textiles-Economy.pdf