Algas marinhas: a revolução da biotecnologia na moda sustentável | Thamires Pontes | TEDxJoaoPessoa

Summary

The textile industry is one of the largest environmental polluters, responsible for significant emissions, pesticide use, and ocean pollution. A sustainable shift towards a circular economy is essential, where products are reused rather than discarded. Marine algae presents a promising solution for sustainable fashion, as it grows quickly, absorbs greenhouse gases, and requires no freshwater or pesticides. Algae can be used to create textiles, replacing petroleum-based products. A startup founded by the speaker develops algae-based fibers that are energy- and water-efficient, envisioning a future where Brazil could lead the global shift to algae-based fashion materials.

Takeaways

• 😀 The textile industry is the second largest polluter in the world, contributing 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, 24% of pesticides, and 35% of ocean microplastics.
• 😀 Producing one pair of jeans requires 5,000 liters of water, enough to meet the daily needs of 47 people according to the UN.
• 😀 The current linear model of fashion (buy, use, discard) is unsustainable, and transitioning to a circular economy is critical for saving the planet.
• 😀 Marine biology offers solutions for sustainable fashion, as algae are highly efficient in absorbing carbon emissions and don't require freshwater to grow.
• 😀 Algae, the fastest growing organisms on the planet, could be the key to revolutionizing materials used in the fashion industry, offering an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based products.
• 😀 The 'Kelp Highway' theory suggests that humans first arrived in the Americas by following seaweed forests along the Pacific coast, highlighting the importance of algae in human history.
• 😀 Algae have been used for centuries by coastal communities around the world, such as in Tanzania and the Philippines, improving their socio-economic status, especially for women.
• 😀 The idea of using marine algae to absorb carbon emissions could help mitigate the climate crisis, with studies suggesting that cultivating 9% of the ocean with algae could absorb as much CO2 as humans emit annually.
• 😀 The UN has proclaimed the decade from 2021 to 2030 as the 'Decade of the Ocean,' urging drastic changes in our relationship with oceans and the promotion of sustainable ocean practices.
• 😀 Algae can replace petroleum-based materials in the fashion industry, offering bioplastics, films, and textiles that are renewable and eco-friendly.
• 😀 The speaker has developed textile fibers made from algae and founded a biotech startup, FicaLabs, to promote and license algae-based products for sustainable fashion, emphasizing efficiency and circularity in production.

Q & A

What environmental issues are associated with the textile industry?

The textile industry is the second most polluting in the world, contributing 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 24% of pesticide use, and 35% of ocean microplastic pollution.

How much water is required to produce a single pair of jeans?

To produce one pair of jeans, it takes about 5,000 liters of water, which is equivalent to the daily water consumption of 47 people, according to the UN.

What is the main problem with the current fashion consumption model?

The current fashion model follows a linear approach: we buy, use, and discard clothing. This leads to waste and environmental harm. A shift to a circular economy is needed to sustain the planet.

What is the importance of algae in sustainable fashion?

Algae, particularly marine algae, have the potential to revolutionize fashion by providing a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based textiles. Algae are fast-growing, require no freshwater, and absorb significant amounts of greenhouse gases.

What is the 'Kelp Highway' theory?

The 'Kelp Highway' theory suggests that ancient humans migrated from Asia to the Americas, following the Pacific coastline and utilizing the resources of marine algae, which served as both a guide and a material resource.

How can algae help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

By cultivating algae in the oceans, it’s estimated that covering 9% of the world's oceans with algae could absorb the same amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted annually.

What is the role of the United Nations regarding ocean protection?

In 2017, the UN declared the Decade of the Ocean, a global initiative running from 2021 to 2030, to drastically improve our relationship with the oceans, protect them, reduce pollution, and make them sustainable.

What is 'The Revolution of Algae'?

The 'Revolution of Algae' refers to the idea of utilizing algae for various applications such as bioplastics, biodegradable films, and even clothing, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional, environmentally damaging materials.

What are the potential benefits of algae-based textile fibers?

Algae-based fibers offer advantages like higher productivity, improved energy and water efficiency, and they come from renewable, biodegradable sources. They contribute to a circular product life cycle and can be a sustainable solution for the textile industry.

How could algae cultivation impact Brazil’s economy?

If algae cultivation is promoted in Brazil, it could create a sustainable textile industry, similar to the cotton boom in the 1980s. This would boost local economies, create jobs, and foster eco-friendly industrial growth.