Is The Insatiable Appetite For Fashion Changing The Weather?

Hitting close to 40 degrees in Spring one week and reaching for the Winter woolies the next, we have all noticed the climate is shifting. Chat with any baby boomer and they will likely express how different the climate feels compared to decades past, and science supports this observation. Climate change is accelerating, largely due to human activity.

When it comes to reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change, many people think of switching to electric vehicles or adopting solar energy. However, these options aren’t accessible to everyone. A frequently overlooked contributor to carbon emissions is the fashion industry, especially fast fashion. Since clothing is a universal necessity, we all have the opportunity to make informed choices in this area. The fast fashion model is unsustainable, characterised by excessive resource consumption, significant waste production, and a culture of disposability.

The fast fashion industry has transformed clothing production and consumption by making stylish and affordable clothing accessible to many, including low-income individuals. This allows them to wear trendy outfits like those of their more affluent peers, which can help reduce classism in fashion. However, this convenience has significant environmental and social costs. The fast fashion model promotes overconsumption, resulting in around 92 million tons of textile waste globally each year. Most of these garments end up in landfills or are burned, taking up to 200 years to decompose and releasing harmful substances into the environment.

Fast fashion is one of the top three contributors to carbon emissions, releasing approximately 1.2 gigatons (GT) of greenhouse gases during textile production, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. . The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) identifies the industry as the second-largest consumer of water and responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, surpassing all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The environmental impact primarily stems from production, which relies heavily on non-renewable resources, like fossil fuels for synthetic fabrics.

The water used in cotton cultivation and dyeing raises concerns about water scarcity, while fertilisers and pesticides pose additional health and environmental risks. If emissions continue to rise, global temperatures will increase, leading to more extreme weather events of droughts, bushfires, flooding and cyclones. By 2050, textile production could consume over 25% of the carbon budget for a 2°C pathway. Thus, it is vital to move away from the current wasteful textile system to meet global warming targets and reduce these weather extremes.

Circular fashion store, GlamCorner reports that Australians discard 6 tonnes of clothing in landfills every 10 minutes. The Sydney based company was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife Dean Jones and Audrey Khaing-Jones. This leading online fashion rental platform is committed to reducing fashion waste. Over the past decade, they’ve ‘worked to prevent clothing from sitting unused in wardrobes while resources were being wasted creating the same thing.’ Sister company, RELOOP, allows you to resell items you no longer wear on their platform, stating, ‘Every re-sold item saves 19 kg of CO2, extends a garment’s life by 9 months, and reduces its water footprint by 20-30%.’

Initiatives such as clothing swaps, thrift stores, and community repair workshops encourage individuals to rethink their consumption habits. These practices promote a sense of community while extending the life cycle of garments. Local governments should be proactive supporting these initiatives by implementing policies that reduce textile waste and enhance recycling programs.

The presence of local recycling facilities specifically designed to handle textiles can significantly lower landfill contributions. Educational efforts aimed at raising awareness about the environmental and social implications of fast fashion can empower communities to make more conscientious choices

An increasing number of fashion brands, like Patagonia, are encouraging customers to return irreparable clothing for recycling.

This aligns with the need for a circular approach in making, wearing, repairing, and reusing garments. When I founded the social enterprise, Stirling & Truffles, two years ago, minimising landfill waste was essential. In a world focused on disposability, I decided to provide a lifetime warranty and repair service. This initiative aims to encourage investment in durable, plastic-free products that endure, helping to address the global challenge we face.

Upcycling and circular fashion are providing clever solutions to counter the effects of fast fashion. By helping consumers recognise the value in discarded clothing, we can foster a culture of sustainability. Circular fashion focuses on creating

By 2050, textile production could consume over 25% of the carbon budget for a 2°C pathway.

products designed for longevity and recyclability, reducing environmental impact while attracting eco-conscious consumers. This approach can also stimulate the economy by creating jobs and supporting local entrepreneurship. Some industries are even exploring exciting innovative techniques like capturing CO2 and using it instead of water for dyeing.

The responsibility for changing the climate rests with each of us. It might feel like, as just one person, our impact is negligible. However, consider this: what if everyone adopted that mindset and chose to give up? I think that attitude got us to the critical situation we are now in. In reality, our collective choices truly do create a significant difference.

Here are some tips to consider

• Clothes swap with friends or family

• Weekend second hand store scouting

• Think circular - online rental stores

• Upcycle into a new wardrobe piece

• Buy Australian made and natural organic fibres