What the Paris climate talks didn’t discuss? Fast Fashion.
Now’s the time to look at how our everyday buying decisions can have a major environmental impact. As a trillion-dollar industry, Fashion has one of the longest supply chains making it a huge contributor to global warming.
Let’s look at our own closets to cast a vote for the world we want to live in. Here are a few simple ways to make a positive impact:
Shop Local
From water pollution to decreasing fossil fuel levels, our environment is at risk because of what we’re wearing. Apparel is reportedly responsible for 10% of all carbon emissions globally. As consumers it’s our responsibility to change this.
Think about that t-shirt made in China, shipped to a warehouse in Kansas, and then shipped to you in California. Those thousands of miles for one t-shirt contribute to Fashion’s total carbon imprint.
One way to reduce your closets’ carbon imprint is by shopping from brands that manufacture their garments locally. Buying local decreases both transportation emissions and the amount of packaging and processing waste (i.e. pollution). An added bonus for shopping local is that you automatically support the local economy- reviving garment districts that have faced drastic job cuts due to the increase of offshore production.
On your next purchase, try buying local to help the environment and global community.
2. Zipper Clutch Roseate
30 Wears
The latest trends are contributing to more pollution than you can even imagine. Clothing is being discarded at astronomical rates with the explosion of blogging and social media. Ladies are wearing an item once and then throwing it away in the trash after an Instagram photo.
Livia Firth’s 30 Wears campaign begs us to ask ourselves if we’ll wear an item 30 times before a purchase. This is a great first step to reducing needless clothing waste and saving money might we add. Think of your closet as a capsule collection and if you won’t wear an item 30 times, most likely you don’t need it. One mindful question can have a big environmental impact.
2. Meria Sunglasses Coral Pink
Fabric Choice
Over 50% of all clothing is now made from polyester- an oil based synthetic fabric made from the same plastic as a soda bottle. Producing polyester requires high amounts of fossil fuel energy which increases carbon emissions. Furthermore, when washing polyester, the plastic contained in the fibers ends up polluting our oceans and threatening marine life.
Garments made from natural fibers including bamboo, cotton, wool, silk and hemp have a positive impact on our environment. Many natural fabrics are biodegradable so they’ll breakdown and decompose rather than sitting in landfills for thirty years. Your choice in fabric is important and can impact global warming and water pollution.
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