Fashion and its impact on climate change

Climate change has been everywhere in the media lately after the youth climates strikes, it’s become a trend and if there is one industry that can take a trend and run with it, it’s the fashion industry. 

In the past the clothes and design industries have had a disastrous impact on the environment. Some would say that the environment damages are increasing as the industry grows. 

The production and distribution of the crop, fibres and garments for commercial distribution all contribute to differing forms of environmental pollution, including air, water and soil. But some major brands are trying to combat this. H&M have started creating sustainable clothes that contain at least 50% sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. 

Vivianne Westwood is a famous designer but has recently become quite a fashion activist, at fashion week this year Westwood sent models down the catwalk wearing aprons and tabards with anti-consumerist and climate change slogans.

The show happened at the same time as environmental action group Extinction Rebellion organised protests at several of London Fashion Week venues to highlight the throwaway nature of the fashion industry.

“buy less, choose well, make it last.”

In an interview with the guardian Vivianne Westwood said “buy less, choose well, make it last.”

This is a message that a lot of fashion activists are going for, the aim is to end ‘fast fashion’ and decrease the turn around in people buying clothes.  

All it takes is for people to make a few changes, start buying sustainable clothes and not have such a high turn around in clothes, rewear some of them.