The fashion-textile sector is the second most polluting sector in the world after the oil industry. So you have to think ten times while making a new fashion.
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It is a common misconception that only mining, factories of various products or energy sector causes more pollution. However, we don't count those who buy new clothes (including our own) directly from the shopping mall because we don't like our old clothes. In fact, the fashion and textile sector is growing at such a alarming rate that it has become the second most polluting sector in the world, after the oil industry.
There is a huge chain of different types of suppliers connected with the fashion industry. It is a chain of products, raw materials, textiles, transportation, sales and finally disposal. At every stage associated with this business, a huge amount of water is wasted in many processes, besides, a large amount of hazardous chemicals are also used in this process. Globally, agriculture is the number one major cause of contamination of clean water, followed by textile dyeing.
Polyester is one of the most used fabrics in the fashion world. This type of fabric is available relatively cheaply. That is why this type of cloth is also popular. When this type of fabric is washed, a small amount of plastic is released along with the fine fibers that come out of it. Which is also increasing the amount of plastic in seawater. So the marine biological chain is under threat.
Importantly, cotton grown worldwide is genetically modified so that it does not get infected. However, it also uses more toxic pesticides on such cotton. All this also degrades the environment. A great example of this decline is the arid Aral Sea. The Aral Sea has dried up, destroying the sea's fishing community. Several rivers in Central Asia were diverted to supply water to cotton farms in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Aral Sea dried up because of the diversion of rivers.
Fashion industry - an enemy of the environment
Due to the lust to be a celebrity in the society, the concept of instant change fashion is gaining momentum. The fashion industry is emerging as a real enemy of the environment due to the market trend of providing new products to those who run after this concept.
The method of fashion that started with a pinch or instant change started in the western countries. However, this method has now become popular all over the world. Importantly, the influence of consumer culture in the Western world and ideas brought to market by European countries is now rapidly seeping into other countries, especially developing countries like India, which has a large market.
At present, ordinary shoppers are buying more clothes than they used to. Rising consumerism and the changing global nature of the market are the reasons for this change. The supply of this world of fashion is so fast that no matter how much you buy, the feeling that you don't have new fashion clothes remains with the buyers.
Fashion garments made in developing countries like India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan are exported to the markets of big cities far away from these countries. In return, all these developed countries receive large sums of money. The main reason for this is that the fashion industry sees all these developing countries as centers that supply cheap manpower at affordable rates. Not only that, this developing country is also seen in this sense as a landfill dumping ground. The rate at which the fashion industry is growing, there aren't the appropriate efforts being employed to safeguard the Environmental ecosystem. Tons of Efforts are Required for Environmental Protection through private, public and government join collaboration.
Fashion industry sector and and water wastage
As fast as the global changing fashion trend is gaining popularity, so are the big brands names and entrepreneurs expanding their products. Naturally, its great stress is beginning to fall on natural resources, especially water-like sources. The adverse effects of this stress on human settlements and wild biodiversity along the Sitaram River. The hugely growing textile sector in Indonesia has caused great damage to human settlements and wild biodiversity along the Sitaram River. The major cause of pollution in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu is the textile sector. Not only that, but it has also devastated the agricultural sector and agro-based industries.
The conclusion reached by the European Economic Commission of the United Nations on water wastage is very important. According to the commission, the 2.5 trillion fashion industry is the world's largest water-consuming industry, accounting for about 20 percent of the world's water wastage.
Seriously, the carbon footprint of the fashion industry is projected to increase by 60 per cent to 2.8 billion tonnes by 2030. The rapidly changing fashion has also led to a huge increase in the production of polyester and nylon. This increasing production process emits huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These emissions are causing global warming to increase 300 times more than carbon dioxide emissions.
One of the most important of these developments is the use of Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, or NPE, to color clothing. (NPE) This chemical is widely used. This chemical is extremely harmful to health. These chemicals can cause many complications in pregnant women, increase the number of breast cancer cells, and cause failure of the placenta. Of course, the use of this dangerous chemical has been banned in the countries of the European Union. However, the same chemical is still used in many garments imported into the United States.
Seriously, the carbon footprint of the fashion industry is projected to increase by 60 per cent to 2.8 billion tonnes by 2030.
Inefficient practices and exploitation of workers
Here in Geneva on March 1, 2018, 'The goal of fashion and sustainable development: what is the role of the United Nations? ('Fashion and the Sustainable Development Goals: What Role for the UN?') It was at this conference that the European Economic Commission (UNECE) warned that the mass production of cheap clothing used by the fashion industry was an "environmental and social emergency."
Inefficient production practices in developing countries, the exploitation of unorganized and contract workers, and, in addition, capitalist labor laws. Such conditions make it possible for companies in the fashion industry to produce large quantities of clothing at low prices.
The reality of the fashion industry is the shifting of garments from one country to another - import and export, exploitation of workers, oppression of women, and flawed production practices that harm the environment. But often consumers who are fed up with the fast-changing fashion diet conveniently ignore this fact.
In fact, considering the fashion industry, it is the responsibility of the global community to balance the affordable prices of products and the interests of the environment. There needs to be a natural valuation of capital. Also the corporate sector should follow strict rules keeping in view the social responsibility. Also, social movements should be intensified to reduce the environmental and social risks posed by such products. Unless everyone around the world takes the initiative to avert this man-made danger by going through these different paths, there is no other way out.
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