The problem with fashion... and how we can *actually* fix it (not just fast fashion)

Summary

In this video, Cyia addresses the significant environmental impact of the fashion industry, responsible for 8-10% of global emissions. She proposes solutions for a sustainable future, including the 'Impact Receipt' to show the true cost of garments, the 'Fashion Act' for industry accountability, rehumanizing clothing by connecting consumers with garment workers, banning new synthetic fibers, and end-of-life responsibility for garments. Cyia encourages viewers to support petitions and acts to drive change in the industry.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The fashion industry is a major contributor to global emissions, accounting for 8-10%, making it the fourth largest climate polluter if it were a country.
• 🔒 Consumers have the power to influence brands to produce less by demanding more sustainable practices and supporting regulations.
• 📈 The 'Impact Receipt' concept suggests that brands should disclose the environmental costs of their products, including carbon emissions, water, and energy usage.
• 📊 Science-based targets are crucial for the fashion industry to align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 2°C.
• 🏭 Transparency in supply chains is key, with brands needing to know who made each garment and the conditions under which it was produced.
• 👕 Rehumanizing clothing involves acknowledging the people behind garment production, potentially through tags that show the worker's photo and story.
• 🚫 A call to action to eliminate new synthetic fibers within 5 years to reduce the fashion industry's reliance on oil and decrease pollution.
• 🔄 End-of-life responsibility for garments suggests that brands should take back and either mend, resell, recycle, or face fines for garments they produce.
• 🌿 The 'Fashion Act' is a proposed legislation aiming to hold fashion brands accountable for meeting science-based targets in their supply chains.
• 💡 Real-world examples exist of brands implementing sustainable practices, indicating that change is possible and should be the industry standard.

Q & A

What percentage of global emissions is the fashion industry responsible for?

The fashion industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of global emissions.

If the fashion industry were a country, where would it rank in terms of climate pollution?

If the fashion industry were a country, it would be the fourth largest climate polluter.

What is the impact receipt mentioned in the script and how does it help consumers?

The impact receipt is a proposed system that shows the cost, carbon emissions, water use, and energy use of a garment. It helps consumers understand the true cost of a garment and holds brands accountable for their sustainability claims.

What is the Fashion Act and why is it important?

The Fashion Act is a proposed legislation in New York that would hold major fashion brands accountable to science-based targets in their supply chains. It's important because it could set a precedent for holding brands responsible for their environmental impact.

What is the projected percentage of the carbon budget the fashion industry will use by 2050 if left unchecked?

If left unchecked, the fashion industry is projected to use more than 26% of the carbon budget associated with a 2°C pathway by 2050.

Why is it important for brands to have sustainability and impact reports?

It's important for brands to have sustainability and impact reports to show their efforts to align with the 2°C pathway and reduce global warming, which is crucial for the future of our society.

What is the concept of rehumanizing clothing and how does it relate to garment workers?

Rehumanizing clothing involves showing the faces and stories of the garment workers who made the clothes. This practice helps consumers connect with the people behind their clothing and supports the movement for fair wages and healthy working conditions.

Why is the use of synthetic fibers in the fashion industry a concern?

The use of synthetic fibers is a concern because they are derived from oil, contribute to pollution, and take a long time to break down, shedding microfibers into waterways and causing environmental harm.

What is the filthy fashion campaign and what does it aim to achieve?

The filthy fashion campaign, run by Standard, aims to remove the use of synthetic fibers from the fashion industry's supply chains within the next 5 years, promoting a shift towards more sustainable materials.

What does end of life responsibility mean in the context of the fashion industry?

End of life responsibility means that brands should take full responsibility for the entire life cycle of their garments, including mending and reselling quality items, recycling fabric, and being held accountable for textile waste.

Why is it significant if brands were required to take back and deal with the garments they produce?

If brands were required to take back and deal with the garments they produce, it would deter overproduction and promote more sustainable practices, as it would make them financially responsible for the waste they create.