37. Knit
For this weeks’ #52climatesolutions, we ask you to bring it back to basics, to knit (or sew) your own clothing! Embrace slow fashion, reduce waste and emissions and learn or share some skills.
The fashion industry contributes c. 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year. Most emissions come from raw materials, particularly fossil fuels extracted and used to make synthetic materials. ‘Fast fashion,’ where cheap clothing is produced quickly for mass-market retailers who respond to the latest fashion trends, perpetuates a feeling of need to endlessly consume in order to fit societal ‘norms’. With a constant stream of low-quality, new clothing, there can be a false impression that resources are infinite. This can steer people away from the urgency and potential severity of climate change.
The fashion industry is aware it must change but is changing slower than needed. Governments can improve standards and better regulate imports and materials used in clothing, but their priorities are elsewhere. Governments should support local and sustainable types of fibre and material production but rarely do. Big business needs to improve too, with their choice of clothing suppliers and manufacturers, the frequency of release of clothing ranges, the type of materials used, and workers conditions – but their business models put profits for corporate execs over all else. Media should modify their messaging around fast fashion or else will perpetuate a culture of disposable consumerism - this is difficult to change. So, we as individuals are going to have to change the way we consume (and produce) clothing.
Most of us have the free will to make choices around clothing. For this weeks’ #52climatesolutions, we ask you to bring it back to basics, to knit and make your own clothing! Let’s harken back to knitting jumpers that last generations, as opposed to lasting only months for the latest ‘in-season’ sweater. Making one’s own clothes can take many hours, but a well-constructed piece of clothing can last years and pay itself off many times over. If you can’t knit (or sew), there are online tutorials and probably local makers who could help you. You could even unstitch a ratty old jumper and create a new garment from it. Be your own fashion icon. So, kick back on the couch and knit while watching a movie and change the world, one stitch at a time.
Some projects to get you started…
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