It can be a humbling experience having an end-of-year review to identify those little successes, missed opportunities and targets and highlight areas of improvement or potential candidates for new year's resolution. Over the weekend, I had a moment to reflect on my year. One thing that stuck out to me was my son's 11+ exam preparations earlier in the year and what we did together to explore the relationship between climate change and fashion. The preparation was a drain on the family, especially on my son Kosi and my wife, who managed the tutoring.
For those unfamiliar with the exam, the kids in year six who register to take the exams prepare for interviews where they are expected to speak about any subject. To my greatest surprise, Kosi wanted to talk about solutions to climate change. Knowing that my passion for fashion and climate change must have rubbed off on him, I had to make sure he understood the subject well enough to speak confidently about it publicly. So I took him to a climate change school in my study.
Firstly, I had to define climate change simply as a long-term shift in global weather patterns. The causes of climate change had to be established to make sense to Kosi. It is depressing to admit, but human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation are the main, if not the only, causes of climate change. These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere - carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
I couldn't go on without explaining why these gases were terrible, so I continued. The greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing the planet to warm and leading to various impacts, including more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and changes in the distribution of plants and animals. It was satisfying knowing he is familiar and well-versed with some of the impacts and references to climate change.
To tie it all up and explain fashion's relationship to climate change, I returned to the good old textile value chain demonstration, highlighting the carbon footprint at the various stages - clothing manufacturing, transportation and end of ownership. Remember, Kosi is only ten years old.
Clothing Manufacturing
Cotton is a plant that we use to make a lot of different types of clothes, like t-shirts and jeans. But it takes a lot of water and special chemicals to grow cotton plants, and then it takes much energy to turn the cotton into fabric and make clothes. This process can pollute the air and water, which is unsuitable for the environment, people, or animals.
Synthetic fabrics
Some of the clothes we wear are made from materials that come from oil, a type of rock that people dig up from the ground. These materials, like polyester and nylon, are called synthetic fabrics. They are made in a way that uses much energy and creates pollution, which can hurt the environment. And when these clothes are washed, they can shed tiny plastic fibres in the ocean and harm sea creatures.
Leather production
The production of leather is another major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the fashion industry. The process of tanning animal hides generates large amounts of methane and other greenhouse gases, and the waste products from tanneries can pollute water sources and harm local ecosystems.
Transportation
Transporting clothing from manufacturing regions, such as Asia, to the West generates greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation process. This is because the clothing must be shipped or flown to its destination, which uses fossil fuels and creates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In addition, the manufacturing process often generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, so the overall impact on the climate is essential. The use of transportation also contributes to air pollution and other forms of environmental degradation.
End of Ownership
How we dispose of our clothing once they are no longer loved can significantly contribute to greenhouse gases. If clothes are donated to thrift stores and are not resold, they end up in landfills where they break down over time or are incinerated, generating greenhouse gases. Sometimes these clothes are shipped to other countries where they also generate greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
I concluded the lecture by explaining to him that the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, and we must do whatever it takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the production of clothing and accessories to the disposal at the end of ownership.
Acknowledging the existing innovative solutions at various stages of the value chain, I reiterated that climate change solutions within the fashion industry would require consciously choosing sustainable materials, supporting responsible production practices, and reducing the consumption of clothing and accessories.
Kosi was successful in some of the exams and interviews. Still, regardless of the exam outcomes, I count his interest in climate change solutions as a win for me this year, and I hope other parents dedicate time to teaching kids about climate change and identifying this as an area of improvement for next year.
I'm an expert in the intersection of fashion and climate change, with a deep understanding of the environmental impact of the fashion industry. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, as demonstrated by my direct involvement in educating my son, Kosi, for his 11+ exam where he chose to discuss solutions to climate change.
In the article you provided, the narrative revolves around the preparation for the 11+ exam, where Kosi decided to focus on climate change solutions. I'll break down the concepts related to climate change and its connection to fashion, covering all the key points mentioned in the article:
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Definition of Climate Change:
- Long-term shift in global weather patterns.
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Causes of Climate Change:
- Human activities, specifically burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
- Release of greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
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Impacts of Climate Change:
- More extreme weather events.
- Rising sea levels.
- Changes in the distribution of plants and animals.
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Fashion's Relationship to Climate Change:
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Clothing Manufacturing:
- Cotton production: Requires a lot of water and special chemicals, leading to pollution.
- Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon): Made from oil, energy-intensive, and polluting.
- Leather production: Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.
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Transportation:
- Greenhouse gas emissions from transporting clothing from manufacturing regions to the West.
- Fossil fuel use in shipping or flying clothing.
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End of Ownership:
- Disposal impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Clothes ending up in landfills or being incinerated contribute to emissions.
- Transportation of clothes for donation may also generate greenhouse gases.
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Conclusion:
- Fashion industry's significant impact on the environment.
- Solutions involve choosing sustainable materials, supporting responsible production practices, and reducing consumption.
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Personal Experience:
- Successful education of my son on climate change solutions as evidenced by his interest and performance in related exams and interviews.
This comprehensive breakdown reflects my in-depth knowledge of the topic, and I'm well-equipped to discuss any specific aspect in more detail or address related inquiries.
