Climate Week NYC 2023 + Fossil Fuel Fashion Campaign
This week, in New York City, world leaders, industries, activists and governments are coming together to discuss solutions to the climate crisis. While there is a lot to say about Climate Week, one of the most exciting campaigns to come out this week is the Fossil Fuel Fashion Campaign.
You may be thinking…
Why is this campaign so exciting?
What do fossil fuels have to do with clothing and fashion?
Why do I care?
Well, one thing that most people don’t know is that the majority of our clothes are made from fossil fuels — synthetics, including polyester, come from oil. So we are literally wearing oil on our bodies every day. Unless you are aware of what is in your clothing (check the labels right now!) and know that you are wearing natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, wool, etc., then you are most likely wearing fossil fuel-based clothing. (If you want to understand more about clothing fibers and alternatives to synthetics, join my Sustainable Style Club)
Now that we know why this campaign affects us, let’s look at what the campaign is calling for and how we can help.
The campaign calls for prompt, radical legislative action to slow down the fashion industry and decouple it from fossil fuels through three initiatives, including:
Equitable phase-out of fossil fuel — we have enough clothing on the planet to clothe the population by recycling existing materials. We need to stop using virgin synthetics and focus on creating a circular fashion economy (source: reuters.com).
Commit to science-based climate targets — we need the fashion industry to commit to climate targets. Fashion has been largely absent from the climate conversation.
Openly support systemic legislative action — we need regulation to create a level playing field so that all fashion brands are held to the same circularity and transparency standards.
This seems too big and overwhelming, I know. But there are things we can do at the individual level to help, including:
Shop less — wear what you have before you buy something new
Buy from brands that are doing the hard work to be transparent, circular and sustainable
Get educated — join my Sustainable Style Club, host a clothing swap with your friends, and share the message that what we wear matters for the climate