Activism - Why is it So Important?
I have been harping on about change in the fashion industry needing to come from the top - but control over how and when this change happens is well within our grasp.
In my previous blog post about net-zero, I discussed the carbon budgeting system and how ineffective it is; there being a long time-lag between drawing up the budget, and actually acting on the budget.
This is synonymous with many laws surrounding climate change. For example, our most recent Clean Air Act is 28 years old ; the Environmental Protection Act is 21 years old ; sustainability reporting requirements are 8 years old ; and the Environment Act is 26 years old. None of which reflect where we are at with today’s climate emergency.
There is a new Environmental Bill currently being discussed in parliament and, hopefully, it will receive Royal Assent this year. However, all targets are being set for the mid 2030s - and is the Earth’s ecological integrity going to be the same in a decade’s time?!
The government seem somewhat lackadaisical with regards to climate change policy - and this is where we can all make a difference!
The law is not an autonomous force that our society is subjected to and - whilst this doesn’t mean we can break the law - it does mean we are able to help shape it. Most policies are created to help re-orientate society for the better: for example, fines for littering or low emission zones in big cities.
However, most landmark pieces of legislation have only been enacted on the back of major shifts in societal attitudes.
In 2019, the UK’s government was the first country to declare a climate emergency and legislate around it. This historic moment would not have happened if it were not for the school strikes and nation-wide extinction rebellion protests that happened earlier in the year. They brought climate change to the surface and spread the message loud - and clear enough to attract the government’s attention.
So, it just goes to show, we do have the power to effect change and we cannot sit back and wait for something (nothing) to happen.
We must keep the pressure on the government, and make sure their landmark declarations were not empty promises.
So, what can you do for the Sustainable Fashion Movement?
Write to your local MP (we will be holding a session on this soon)
Engage with your friends, family, community and colleagues about sustainability in the fashion industry
Keep an eye out on petitions you can sign (try starting with parliament)
Try and boycott fast-fashion brands and shop locally or second-hand where possible.