Could Our Clothes Have an Impact on Climate Change?

Decelerating climate change by holding corporations accountable

Clothing piles in Bangladesh. Image provided by Guardian

Have you ever thought about the environmental cost of your favorite pair of jeans? What about the clothes hanging unworn in your wardrobe? What if we told you that the fashion industry has a tremendous impact on climate change?

According to various estimates, the textile industry is responsible for 4% to 10% of global emissions, which could reach 26% by the middle of this century. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) points out that carbon emissions from this sector are more than all international flights and maritime transportation combined. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the fashion industry's production chain is the third largest emission-producing sector after food and construction.

Textiles—an industry that uses 93 billion cubic meters of water every year (equivalent to the needs of five million people)—produce at least 20% of all wastewater on the planet and substantial amounts of waste, as 87% of all fibers are burned or sent to landfills. And it's not just discarded clothes that pollute our planet: simple washing of clothes made from synthetic fibers releases half a million tonnes of microfibers (equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles) into the oceans yearly, contributing to the microplastic problem.

In the US, every citizen throws away 70 trousers worth of clothes a year; each garment is worn only seven to 10 times on average, while one in three Brits considers a piece of clothing worn out after only wearing it once or twice. Brands are also gaining momentum to meet this increasingly insatiable demand for fast fashion: In 2000, brands in Europe offered an average of two collections a year; by 2011, this figure had increased to five collections per year. Today, some brands release 12 to 16 yearly collections, and shops with particularly quick turnarounds launch 24.

What Should We Do? 

1. Before purchasing, we can ask whether manufacturers use sustainable criteria to produce a garment.

2. We can recycle or repair clothes after they are worn out.

3. We can buy second-hand clothes. According to the report published by thredUP; The second-hand clothing market is expected to grow 127% by 2026. 

4. We can donate clothes we no longer use.

5. We can only buy what we need. Because up to 40% of the clothes we buy are never worn. 

6. We can think about quality rather than quantity. Poor quality clothes often do not survive the wash cycle, meaning we can save money in the long run compared to buying better quality clothes. 

7. We can wash our clothes in the washing machine at full load and use non-abrasive detergents.