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Despite publicised worker-welfare violations, many fashion retailers continue to post record sales and profits, indicating that consumer concern does not always translate at the cash register. Research has shown that worker welfare is a less salient area of concern for fashion consumers, and the aim of this research is to investigate the reasons why this may be the case.

Due to the exploratory nature of the research, a qualitative methodology was considered the most appropriate. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian fast-fashion consumers to investigate the underlying reasons worker-welfare violations are less likely to elicit pro-social consumer behavioural change and are a less salient area of concern.

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climate change, resource scarcity and economic crises on the one hand,
Growth paradigm, mass consumption and disposable mentality on the other – always
more people overcome these contradictions in niches and are committed to
Keeping things longer in usage cycles: Sharing, swapping and repairing
and rescues are interpreted as ways to live more sustainably and thus to
Contribute to social transformation. Based on the key players in
three exemplary fields – dress swapping parties, repair cafes and garbage diving –
In a comparative ethnography, Maria Grewe examines the cultural
Strategies in dealing with abundance and scarcity and examines the contribution
cultural anthropological research for the discourse on sustainability.

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More and more municipalities are paying attention to compliance with at least basic labour rights when purchasing certain goods, such as workwear. The great market power of the public sector can be an enormous lever to improve working conditions. The FEMNET factsheet informs about grievances in the production of workwear and how buyers can take responsibility.

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Extreme weather events in increasing numbers, the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the massive loss of animal and plant species – climate change is a global human issue and one of the greatest challenges of our time. Its effects are becoming more and more noticeable. The fact that a change of direction is inevitable is largely a matter of social consensus.

But the transformation towards a (nearly) zero-emission economy and society involves a number of challenges. Increasingly, the economic and social costs of this necessary transformation process are coming into focus. Climate protection is often pitted against prosperity, economic development and jobs. In some cases, even interest-based doubts are sown to give the impression that the sciences are at odds with "man-made" climate change.

The authors build on this supposed conflict of goals by pointing out the fields of conflict and analysing ten key points of criticism on a fact-based basis. They refute claims that persist in public discourse and confirm that there is still an enormous need for action in some sectors in Germany. Above all, however, they show that a future-oriented energy and climate policy is possible in line with prosperity and social progress. Provided that the correct measures are taken.

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Scientists from Ulm University and Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences are researching and working for a turnaround in the textile industry. The ‘Dietenheim Attracts’ project aims at the sustainability-oriented revitalisation of the textile city of Dietenheim in southern Germany through different approaches. Furthermore, a local, sustainable transformation of the textile value chain will be focused. In cooperation with companies and stakeholders in the local textile industry, the entire textile value chain is tried to be experienced regionally and transparently for the customer. The focus here is on the presentation of ideas, innovative concepts and business models of sustainable textile production and more conscious textile consumption. However, the project not only aims to appeal to producers, but also to encourage consumers to rethink their thinking. Through various participation opportunities, end-users are integrated into the design process, for example, and taught to repair or design purchased textiles themselves. The aim is to create a deeper understanding of the quality, time and appreciation of the garment and local production. From November 2015 to January 2016, a survey of all residents took place in Dietenheim on the subject of the real-world laboratory ‘Sustainable transformation of the textile industry at the Dietenheim site’. The results of this survey on how to deal with clothing and past habits in textile consumption are reported in the study.

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