Let’s be Super Trendy When it Comes to Sustainable Fashion
Climate changes poses a serious threat to the future and means a crisis in the present that is growing faster than we have ever expected. Certainly this does not mean that there is nothing more we can do or that we as human individuals on planet Earth are powerless. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said “the extraordinary climate situation we are witnessing is a race we are losing and at the same time a race we can win” (UN, 2022).
No part of the world is safe from the devastating effects of climate change. Rising temperatures are causing environmental degradation, natural disasters, weather extremes, water and food shortages, and, last but not least, economic disruption, conflict and terrorism. Sea levels are rising, the Arctic is melting, coral reefs are dying, oceans are becoming acidic and forests are disappearing in mass fires. All of this clearly indicates that global business is not good enough and that it is time for bold community action.
Record high greenhouse gas emissions, with no signs of slowing down, are caused by human activity, and not just in coal, oil and gas production. In general, the industry is responsible for releasing billions of tonnes of CO2 into our atmosphere each year. The fashion industry is responsible for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which means it also plays a key role in tackling the climate crisis.
After years of talking, now is the time to take a big step forward. Thorough transformations are needed in all aspects of society – how we grow food, use land, transport goods and drive the economy. It is time to make significant changes in the environmental and social impacts that the fashion industry has.
With technology that originally also contributed to climate changes, we can today effectively help reduce net emissions and create a cleaner environment. Advanced, natural-based technology solutions will enable us all to leap into a cleaner and more resilient world. If government organizations, businesses, civil society, young people and academia work together, we can create a green future and restore harmony between people and the planet.
The fashion industry can take a step closer to carbon neutrality and help to ‘’cure’’ ecosystems by re-examining its attitude towards clothing. A key role in this also plays a legislation, but we can also contribute a lot by reusing clothes, supporting local crafts, repairing, renting clothes, etc.
There is much we can do to approach sustainable behavior. Let’s be cool and act sustainable in many ways. Here are some key sustainability trends that everyone should look out for in 2022:
- Reuse, second-hand clothing, clothing rental & repair
Buy used. Donate or sell on what you don’t wear. Borrow casual clothes that you will only need once. Some you can repair or remodel yourself or hire a local tailor to do so. Significant emphasis is placed on repair, as it greatly extends the life of clothing, and this is crucial for the advancement of a sustainable fashion industry.
Gucci, Valentino and Oscar de la Renta are just some of the big names who have started using second-hand clothes in 2021, while you can also borrow clothes from Jean Paul Gaultier and Burberry.
- Regenerative fashion
The idea of regenerative fashion will continue to take root in 2022, as brands strive to have a strong positive impact on the planet. A key part of this is to check how the materials are obtained and whether regenerative techniques are used to produce fibers used in industry such as cotton and wool.
- Support local crafts and industry
Let’s support local entrepreneurship. Retail production and crafts are more environmentally friendly and economical. Local sustainable supply has a wider social significance, as by increasing the consumption of local products we take care of the wider social well-being – among other things, the preservation of jobs, the preservation of a green environment and cleaner air.
We can also help local providers on social networks. We share their product information, like their posts, and recommend products or services to friends.
- Digital fashion
Digital fashion or the online sale of clothing is on the rise. This has also been helped by the health situation, which has limited people around the world to spending time between the walls of their home. Work, schooling, shopping and other activities started via internet connections. Some companies have already upgraded online clothing shopping with an application in which we can upload our image and see how a certain piece of clothing suits us. Some are of the opinion that digital is not necessarily sustainable, as data centers and servers require huge amounts of energy, but let’s just think about saving energy when we don’t have to go to the store, lower electricity and water consumption in shopping malls …
- Environmentally friendly dyes
The dyeing process can be extremely water-intensive and involves strong chemicals that pollute local waterways – so brands are increasingly looking for more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as dyeing with onion peel and rice peel.
In summary, every individual can contribute to sustainable fashion with its own sustainable behavior. Together we can shape a better future for ourselves. “Let’s tie our running shoes and win the climate race for all of us” – António Guterres (UN, 2019).