Fashion’s carbon footprint is relatively low, compared to other industries. But more can, and must be done, to meet consumers’ needs. Here are three solutions to lighten your footprint.
Fashion is responsible for 75 million jobs worldwide and $3 trillion USD of economic activity. At the same time, the sector perpetuates significant climate impacts from its complex web of supply chains. A McKinsey study estimates that almost 4% of total global carbon emissions originate from the industry alone – equivalent to the combined emissions of France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
There are different sweet spots brands can target to improve their carbon footprint and deliver on their sustainability promises to their customers. These include optimizing operations and working sustainably with partners and their audience, both physically and digitally.
“For years we thought the oceans were so vast and the inhabitants so infinitely numerous that nothing we could do could have an effect upon them. But now we know that was wrong. (…). [They] are under threat now as never before in human history.” David Attenborough
Celebrating Ocean’s Day 2022
Last week we honored the planet’s greatest and most treasured resource: the ocean.
Over 90% of all living creatures call our seas home. Although blanketing most of our planet, what we see, which is the ocean’s surface, makes up only 20% of what is visible to us. The majority happens below, supporting abundant marine life, regulating the earth’s atmosphere, and maintaining climate equilibrium.
But human activities have caused a shift.
Man-made carbon emissions have led to changes in water temperatures, ocean acidification and de-oxygenation, altering the ocean’s chemistry and circulation to affect rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and displacement of marine life.
The more we raise the alarm and call for change – anywhere from big steps, like climate policy advocacy, to small actions, like greener daily choices – can we conserve the one precious resource we all rely on.
