<\/p>\n
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FASHION INDUSTRY<\/strong><\/p>\n It is nearly impossible these days to avoid hearing the dangers of climate change and how it is affecting our food sources, our weather patterns, and many other issues in our lives. However, the less common news is the way climate change is both affecting and being affected by the fashion industry. According to the \u201cPulse of the Fashion Industry 2017\u201d report published by BCG, the fashion industry will come under pressure by 2030, with the risk of losing at least 3 percentage points in profitability due to climate change.[1]<\/a> With the strong reliance on natural resources \u2013 the fashion industry uses 79 billion cubic meters of water \u2013 enough to fill 32 million Olympic size swimming pools, the fashion industry will be in a tough spot as climate change continues to wreak havoc. Both the decreased availability and the pollution of water, lead to supply chain issues involving cotton, energy, labor, and more.[2]<\/a> Thus, as water scarcity becomes more extreme, cotton-growing nations and the fashion industry may face the dilemma of choosing between cotton production and securing clean drinking water.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n The fashion industry also contributes to climate change. In total, the entire world produces 2.1 billion tons of waste a year, almost 2x more than the Earth can absorb. Within the fashion industry, 80% of the waste ends up in landfills instead of being recycled or reused.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n Patagonia, in particular is a company at risk due to climate change. It utilizes many resources affected by climate change, especially since some of their factories are located in regions at the highest risk for climate change threats (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh).[5]<\/a>,[6]<\/a> Climate change will result in issues with Patagonia\u2019s supply chain materials, as well as the logistics. The climate change threats in these countries will affect the physical buildings and their workforce, through increased risks for heat stress, flooding, landslides and water scarcity, among other things.[7]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n PATAGONIA SOLUTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Fortunately, Patagonia acknowledges its role in climate change and the associated risks. As stated on the company website, \u201cOur work has always begun first by acknowledging that Patagonia is part of the problem. We make products using fossil fuels, built in factories that use water and other resources, create waste and emit carbon into the air\u2026\u201d[8]<\/a> Patagonia is one of the most forward-thinking companies when it comes to combating the effects of climate change \u2013 already instituting a number of initiatives including reimbursing employees for taking public transportation to work, building new stores in already existing buildings, purchasing green power, product recycling and using natural and recycled fibers in their clothing.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n Patagonia has also taken steps to reduce their footprint, and climate change as a whole, in the long term. For example, Patagonia started an internal investment firm, Tin Shed Ventures, in 2013 to fund start-ups that aim to solve environmental issues.<\/p>\n Patagonia is so invested in reducing climate change and lessening our waste, they placed an ad in the New York Times during Black Friday of 2011 encouraging consumers not to buy their products. The ad urged consumers to think before they buy, to avoid contributing to the extreme consumer waste so pervasive in the country.[10]<\/a> Through extreme measures, the company has brought environmental issues to the forefront of society and increased awareness and the necessity for change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IS IT ENOUGH?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Patagonia is an extremely forward-looking company; however, one company alone cannot solve the problem. Patagonia needs to start better influencing other companies to follow their lead.<\/p>\n The factory locations will be, if not already, under severe pressure to ration their water. Patagonia should be finding ways to help the location populations where their goods are made \u2013 they need improved living conditions, disaster relief promises, and education of ways they personally can help combat climate change.<\/p>\n Furthermore, Patagonia needs to improve its waste efforts. Among clothing waste, the company offers free recycling of products \u2026 However, there is also paper waste. Patagonia uses a significant amount of paper printing catalogs. While it is recycled, I would argue that a company focused on climate change should vow to go digital, solely distributing catalogs via email instead of mailing them all over the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FINAL QUESTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Climate change is an on-going issue facing every facet of life today. It is imperative that more companies in the fashion industry start taking a stand and following Patagonia\u2019s strong example. Without serious action, climate change and its environmental impact will continue to affect our lives and the way the world operates. This is a world-wide issue, not tied to the most prevalent industries. Thus:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How can we encourage more awareness of waste and environmental issues in the fashion industry?<\/p>\n What is the most effective way for society to encourage fashion companies to follow in Patagonia\u2019s footsteps?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (791 Words)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Global Fashion Agenda and the Boston Consulting Group, \u201cPulse of the Fashion Industry 2017,\u201d Mary 2017, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> IPCC, 2014: Summary for policymakers. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability.Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change[Field, C.B., V.R. Barros, D.J. Dokken, K.J. Mach, M.D. Mastrandrea,T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. Genova, B. Girma, E.S. Kissel, A.N. Levy, S. MacCracken,P.R. Mastrandrea, and L.L. White (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and NewYork, NY, USA, pp. 1-32.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> United Nations Environmental Programme, GEO-5 for Business: Impacts of a Changing Environment on the Corporate Sector (2013)<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Global Fashion Agenda and the Boston Consulting Group, \u201cPulse of the Fashion Industry 2017,\u201d Mary 2017, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Huffington Post, \u201cThese Countries Face the Biggest Threats from Climate Change,\u201d https:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2013\/10\/30\/climate-change-vulnerability-index-countries-impacts-costs_n_4174938.html<\/a>, accessed November 2017<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Patagonia Company, \u201cFootprint,\u201d http:\/\/www.patagonia.com\/footprint.html<\/a>, accessed November 2017<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> IPCC, 2014: Summary for policy makers.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Patagonia Company, \u201cClimate Change,\u201d http:\/\/www.patagonia.com\/climate-change.html<\/a>, accessed November 2017<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Patagonia Company, \u201cDon\u2019t Buy This Jacket Black Friday and the New York Times,\u201d https:\/\/www.patagonia.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/dont-buy-this-jacket-black-friday-and-the-new-york-times\/<\/a>, accessed November 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The fashion industry is a major contributor to climate change. Patagonia is slowly but surely taking steps to mitigate the issues and create a more sustainable fashion company.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9768,"featured_media":24350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[1218],"class_list":["post-24349","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-climate-change","hck-taxonomy-organization-patagonia","hck-taxonomy-industry-retail","hck-taxonomy-country-united-states"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/rc-tom-challenge-2017\/","yoast_head":"\n