Communicating the Impacts of Climate Change on Health
This competition challenged teams of undergraduate students to create information campaigns that conveyed the impacts of climate change on human health to the Drexel community. Teams were asked to produce op-ed articles of 300 words or fewer, a one-minute video, a poster, and a social media graphic to get their message across. The final event was inspirational!
First Place: Team 1 — Fast Fashion
Between 2000 and 2018, there has been a59.2%increase in clothing purchases and a100.4%increase in clothing waste. The fashion industry is the epitome of the consumerism, exploitation, and unsustainable industrial practices that have driven climate change. Filling our online shopping carts is a fun pastime that creates environmental hazards contributing to adverse health outcomes and further marginalizes underserved communities across the globe.The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of the world's carbon emissions, and that number is projected to rise by over 50% by 2030, so we must act before it is too late. Consumers have a role to play; however, it will take institutional action to reduce the fashion industry's negative environmental, social, and health impacts.
Most clothing is produced in low-and middle-income countries where clothing production impacts the environmental health of communities. Chemicals, especially dyes and bleach, and waste impact the water and air quality surrounding factories. Additionally, garment workers face occupational hazards which result in chronic and acute health conditions. This is an exorbitant price to pay for clothing that lasts less than ten wears. Most discarded clothing ends up in landfills. Fast fashion poses an environmental hazard to Black and Brown communities in the US, which are more likely to be near a landfill, posing a higher risk of air and water pollution.
The average American throws away about81 pounds of clothing annually. This can be decreased by investing in durable clothing, participating in clothing swaps, thrifting, donating, and learning how to repair clothing. Additionally, purchasing clothing from brands committed to sustainable practices will create market shifts as demands shift. Most importantly, there must be advocacy for policy and regulations regarding greener clothing production and disposal options and safer working conditions.