Climate change and Fast fashion: How they both connected?

Luna Afroz

Posted on November 16 2022

Climate change and Fast fashion: How they both connected?

 

Whenever we hear of environmental crises, what comes to our minds? You probably will say all of it is happening due to growing industrialization, and if you narrow it down to a particular sector, chemical industries are at the top of the chart of carbon emissions. Now take a wild guess on which position the fashion industry might be on this chart; well, you won't believe it, but the fashion industry comes in 3rd position. Yes, the fashion industry cause over 10 per cent of global carbon emission, which is a huge percentage if you break it down to actual numbers. 

 

If the percentage of carbon emissions is at its peak, calculate the amount of harm it does to our ecosystem; indeed, it contributes a huge number to the climate crisis. Fast fashion climate change has become a very general topic yet alarming for us; otherwise, the continuity will lead to huge destruction. The clothing industry generates around 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide yearly, which is not just equal but more than the total aviation and shipping industries combined. Narrowing the issue to the significance of this issue then, it is mainly due to fast fashion. Yes, you heard me right, those cheap quality clothes which kept on changing that you probably love to shop too are the main reason. Under this article, learn about how climate change and fast fashion are related, so read till the end to get the right knowledge about the title. 

 

What Is Fast Fashion?

 

Before knowing the connection between fast fashion and climate change, you should know what fast fashion is. So the term fast fashion means producing clothes based on changing trends. The primary goal of fast fashion producers is to generate fashion articles based on copying and replicating high-end fashion designs. The clothes are produced in huge numbers, which results in mass production. Also, no ethical working conditions or terms are maintained in such manufacturing hubs, and you will find multiple articles on this topic or issue. Fast fashion has simply found its way to promote such cheap quality clothing with its marketing strategy; these brands and stores tie up with influencers on different social platforms.

 

These people have an audience who follow thier lifestyle and dress sense, so everything you see in trend, these influencers are the ones who make such trends. These ever-changing trends and mass manufacturing of such fashion article cause pollution while processing. Mass production means mass wastage, too, cause when trends die, and articles do not sell out, they end up either in the garbage or get burned, which causes carbon emissions.

 

Either way, it is generation pollution, but understand the amount of carbon is twice its rate here, once while manufacturing and second while decomposing or destroying it. Fast fashion products are made up of cheap fabrics or materials, which is also alarming for the environment because you can not decompose them easily. This results in land, water, and air pollution etc.  

 

In total fast fashion is a total waste of resources, water and money if you are investing in it. Fast fashion is not good for the environment, and after reading till now, you might have known about it already. In the following article, you will learn about fast fashion effects and how it corrupts the ecosystem. 

 

Environmental Impact Of Fast Fashion 

 

Cloth manufacturing takes a lot of natural resources, water, raw materials, etc. also, it elaborates lots of greenhouse gas which is the primary reason for climate change. As mentioned before, the fashion industry is blameworthy for 10 per cent of total carbon emissions, as per UN statics. Talking about fast fashion's environmental impact is something we are all aware of but choose to ignore. If you want to read further about how fast fashion is corrupting the ecosystem, then read the further section.

 

1. Wastage And Usage Of Water

 

How much do you think the amount of water consumption might be under fast fashion? Well, it takes around one-tenth of the total water, including everything from manufacturing to cleaning. If you want to manufacture one cotton shirt, then you have to invest around 3000 litres of water. While dying these clothing articles, a harmful chemical is used, al which further goes to the oceans and contaminates such water bodies. So this way, fast fashion is ruining the hydrosphere's environment; therefore, you should think deeply before you buy any fast fashion article next time. There is no point in purchasing a piece of clothing that you won't often be wearing after throwing it in the garbage; it will further create toxicity in the ecosystem. 

 

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2. Plastic Microfibers And Other Non-biodegradable Particles


Fast fashion clothing or fashion articles aren't meant to last long; they are made of cheap materials. Mainly it consists of materials made up of plastic microfibers; as per statics, around 35 per cent of total microplastic is the one which is generated by fast fashion. The goal is to manufacture clothes at low prices, which you can easily see deflects the quality of such clothing articles. This is why
fast fashion sustainability issues are one of the main reasons for a threat to the ecosystem. 

 

3. Usage of Viscose

 

Viscous is a material that is obtained after obtaining cellulose with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulphide. If you have ever heard of rayon and transparent cellulose film, it is also the product of viscose. It is commonly made up of wood pulp; this material is harmful and has toxic effects on the environment. For instance, the carbon disulphide used for manufacturing viscose fibre leads to lethal health side effects, which also effetcs the workers working in such an environment. Viscous is also a significant producer of carbon emissions, which additional has adverse effects on the environment. 

 

In A Nutshell:

 

Right now, the fashion industry is significantly responsible and is a huge contributor to global carbon emissions. If not controlled, the current percentage will increase drastically; by the end of the decade, these statistics will be more than three times current. We need to focus on the main causes followed by working on such issues or causes. If you think you will shop fast fashion sustainability, then there is no such thing as exist. So after looking at all the stats, you should be switching to sustainable and eco-friendly clothing.  


Also have an eye for an amazing Benefits Of Plant-Based Product.  

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