Fashion & Climate: How the Textile Industry is Harmful to Our Environment The textile industry is already causing more CO2-emissions as shipping and air transport combined. (Fast) fashion companies are seeing increasing sales. Rental models, clothing exchanges or second hand clothing can counteract this. However, binding legal regulations are necessary to oblige companies to protect the environment in supply chains. Global clothing production has doubled between 2000 and 2014, while 206 billion garments are predicted to be sold by 2030. This worrying trend suggests that people are now buying far more clothes than they actually need. The excessive consumption of clothing is mainly driven by the fast-fashion companies, which constantly bring new collections to the market and thus increase the pressure to buy. This overconsumption has a massive impact on the climate and the environment. At each production step, resources are consumed and CO2 emissions are released. Synthetic fibres, which are found in about 70% of the world's fibres, are particularly harmful to the environment. They are made of petroleum and can enter the water cycles after use as microplastics or end up as textile waste in unpopulated regions. In addition, the textile industry also pollutes the environment through the use of numerous toxic chemicals. Up to 6,500 chemicals are used during the various production steps and enter wastewater, where they can cause major damage. Solutions to mitigate climate damage There are more and more repair services or rental models to extend the life of garments. At the same time, textile scientists are intensively researching new materials that are made of sustainable materials such as plants or are easily recyclable. An increasing number of consumers are engaging in clothing exchanges or consciously opting for second-hand clothing in order to reduce consumption and extend the useful life of clothing. In the end, however, companies have a far greater influence than consumers. A change in the textile industry towards more climate justice can only succeed if it is legally obliged to comply with its due diligence obligations along its supply chains. Our goals Consumers know the climate-damaging effects of the global apparel industry and know individual, political and entrepreneurial alternatives for action. This is what we want to achieve: Consumers understand the connections between the climate crisis and its triggers and know that the effects are already being felt in the countries of the Global South. Consumers know which production steps textiles go through and how they have a negative impact on the environment and climate. Consumers know alternative options for action and are aware of their scope for action as active citizens. Production steps of a garment Raw material extraction (e.g. cotton fields, petroleum refineries), cleaning and processing of natural raw materials, production of yarns, processing of yarns into fabrics, treatment (washing, bleaching, chemical processes) and dyeing of the fabrics. This is followed by cutting, sewing (assembling) and finishing processes such as prints or buttons. Only 2% of the discarded garments are recycled, the rest end up in the second-hand market, are used or burned elsewhere. Our activities and measures Workshops with trained speakers for your lessons/group lesson Our modules teach young people from the age of 13 clearly what is behind our fashion. Implementation is possible with school classes, working groups and extracurricular groups, such as scouts or church groups. We will be happy to advise you on the choice of topics. TEACHING MODULES & WORKSHOPS... City tours to climate & clothes Students look for causes, effects and solutions of the climate killer clothing in their own city. CITY TOURS... back
