Planet

Roughly 20 years ago, the conversation about climate crisis began and sparked increasing engagement in the topic of sustainable fashion. In this context, sustainability is defined in the Conde Nast Fashion Glossary as “a way of life in which human and natural systems co-exist in a balanced and non-destructive way that enables continuous prosperity and well-being for all.” (Condé Nast, 2020). When exploring the concept of sustainable fashion, it is crucial to think wholistically and consider the 4 pillars of sustainability: planet, people, profit, and purpose. What is the significance of the planet pillar? As a result of human actions such as burning fossil fuels, there are high concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Consequently, we face rising temperatures, extreme weather, rising sea levels, “loss of biodiversity and extinction of entire ecosystems” (Condé Nast, 2020). The United Nations announced in 2018 that we have 12 years before climate change becomes irreversible (Jonathan Watts, 2018). Furthermore, the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in 2021 named this a ‘code red’ situation (United Nations, 2021). The planet and the fashion industry are linked in that “If the fashion industry has the power to influence trends, then it also has the power to play a positive role in protecting the planet” (Greenpeace, 2011). Sustainability in relation to fashion requires a complete reorganization of the economic structure of the industry. The current linear structure of ‘take, make, waste’ must be replaced with a circular economy (Circular Fashion, 2020). A circular economy consists of four main points: phase out substances of concern and microfiber release, increase clothing utilization, radically improve recycling, and make effective use of resources and move to renewable inputs. In 2015, the UN developed a set of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) for countries around the globe to complete by 2030. One SDG is ensuring availability and management of water and sanitation for all (United Nations, 2020). The production of one T-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water. In addition, due to dyeing, textile companies discharge millions of gallons of chemically infected water into waterways (The Conscious Challenge, 2019). Adopting a circular economy would ensure we reach this specific goal because phasing out substances of concern and microfiber release would decrease the amount of water used to produce clothing fibers and prevent water pollution. It is time for the fashion industry to be transparent and for consumers to consider whether their clothes bring dignity to the planet.  

Sources 

circular.fashion. (2020). circular.fashion. [online] Available at: https://circular.fashion/en/about/about-us.html. 

www.condenast.com. (2020). Condé Nast – Glossary. [online] Available at: https://www.condenast.com/glossary/climate-emergency. 

GreenPeace (2011). Greenpeace. [online] Greenpeace. Available at: https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/detox/. 

United Nations (2021). IPCC report: ‘Code Red’ for Human Driven Global heating, Warns UN Chief. [online] UN News. Available at: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097362. 

‌ United Nations (2022). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals. [online] United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals. 

‌ The Conscious Challenge (2019). The Conscious Challenge. [online] The Conscious Challenge. Available at: https://www.theconsciouschallenge.org/ecologicalfootprintbibleoverview/water-clothing. 

Watts, J. (2018). We have 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe, warns UN. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report.