As the Clothing Industry is a Major Polluter, Sustainable Fashion is Rising

Author

Gabe Herman, Craig Newmark Graduate School of JournalismFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-14-2018

Grading Professor

Karen Savage

Subject Concentration

Health & Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

That the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets — it uses a quarter of the chemicals produced globally, and its share of the world’s CO2 emissions is expected to rise from 2 percent to 26 percent in the next 30 years. Developing nations — where many factories are located — are most affected. Every year in Bangladesh, for example, tanneries dump enough toxic waste into rivers to fill three Olympic-sized swimming pools. Advocates and some in the fashion world are working to not only get the word out, but to revolutionize the way the industry does business. Younger consumers are more environmentally conscious, and newer brands are emerging that emphasize sustainability. Many established clothing companies — like Gap and Burberry — are adding environmentally conscious lines and dedication to sustainability, as awareness spreads in the industry and to respond to consumer consciousness. Link to capstone project: https://medium.com/@gabe.herman/as-the-clothing-industry-is-a-major-polluter-sustainable-fashion-is-rising-5a9e48b94d4d

Recommended Citation

Herman, Gabe, "As the Clothing Industry is a Major Polluter, Sustainable Fashion is Rising" (2018). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/658