The fashion industry’s impact on the planet is far-reaching and overwhelming. water needed. Chemicals and their emissions into the natural environment. Mining metal for zippers and decorations. amount of waste; degrading effects of industrial agriculture on soils and biodiversity; Yet fashion’s devastating impact on forests has remained relatively quiet. Research shows that 48% of wood-based fashion fabrics are potentially linked to deforestation at the expense of soil health, endangered animals, native plants and indigenous communities. There is a nature.
More than 200 million trees are cut down each year and processed into cellulosic fibers such as viscose, rayon, lyocell, modal, cupro and tencel. Many of these come from primary forests, with less than 20% remaining in capacity large enough to sustain native plants and animals. What’s more, the chemical-intensive process of making the rayon and viscose materials wastes two-thirds of his trees, reports the nonprofit Canopy. Home to more than 3 million animals and more than 2,500 tree species, 80% of the Amazon rainforest destruction is caused by unsustainable cattle grazing used for leather production. Over half of the planet’s tropical forests have already disappeared, and without action, these entire forests could be degraded or destroyed within the next 100 years.
It is clear that real action and swiftness are required. It’s time for the fashion industry to look inside her chain of supply and ask herself. How can we reverse this?
Some fashion brands that would ultimately benefit from ending deforestation (Nike, ASOS, Swiss Textiles, Varner, New Look, H&M, Primark, Marks & Spencer, Adidas, etc.) have called for increased regulation. I’m here. Adidas, for example, released a joint statement with his 26 other companies in 2020 calling for mandatory cross-sectoral human rights and environmental due diligence legislation across the EU.
Brands must act internally, but the industry also has a strong, global voice that can be used for good. Model Activist, a community of over 200 fashion insiders, created a #supplychange campaign to urge fashion brands to end deals with leather suppliers responsible for deforestation and provide transparency in their supply chain. I demanded public support for the law to strengthen it. Personally, it’s great to see my friends, his Cameron Russell and girlfriend Áine Campbell, who founded and run Model Activist, driving the transformation. I highly encourage everyone to join this space. Seeing your actions take effect is very rewarding.