As wildfires continue to rage across Europe, North America and Canada, the true extent of climate change and its far reaching and devastating consequences are more evident than ever before.
The record heat waves and storms of late confirmed what scientists have long predicted: climate change is underway and threatens unparalleled catastrophe. And because carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere for centuries, temperature rise and its effects are only getting started. The climate emergency comes with a time limit — wait too long to halt temperature rise and it becomes too late; CO2’s long atmospheric life makes further temperature rise inevitable, perhaps irreversible. Humanity is at a critical juncture where we need to be prioritizing the climate change agenda. More responsibly and sensitivity towards the issue is needed at both the individual and industrial level. One such industry which is known for its negative climate and ecological impacts is the fashion industry.
Appearing on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia earlier this month Greta Thunberg, echoed the newly launched publications sustainability mantra, while chastising the industry for their irresponsible environmental stance and calling for system change. Greta, Sweden's most famous activist , who is known to wear second-hand clothes or borrow from those around her appears ethereal on the cover in clothes made of sustainable, recycled material. In an Instagram post in which Thunberg shared the interview, the activist criticized the fashion industry even more harshly. “The fashion industry is a huge contributor to the climate and ecological emergency (…) Many make it seem as if the fashion industry is starting to take responsibility, spending huge amounts of money on campaigns that portray themselves as sustainable, ethical, green, climate neutral and fair. But let’s be honest: almost always it is pure greenwashing. You cannot produce fashion on a large scale or consume it ‘sustainably’ in the world as it is today. That is one of the many reasons why we need a system change.”
Featuring Greta is a bold move for the fashion industry’s bible, Vogue, which like others relies on - in addition to subscription fees - advertising revenues from large fashion brands, and thus on selling not less, but more clothes. However, Vogue Scandinavia has already committed to being ‘the most sustainable publication in the world,’ according to a press release. The magazine is already produced carbon neutrally, but it doesn’t stop there, says Mariann Jacobsson, head of sustainability at Vogue Scandinavia. “Our goal is to give back more than we consume.” The magazine is working towards a completely carbon-negative production chain and in doing so hopes to inspire others to take steps for the climate as well.
It is actions like this which we hope will continue to inspire others in the industry to make positive changes. Changes which are needed more than ever at this critical time.
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