Passion for Sustainable Fashion

By Eva Rogers, Year 11, The Ridgeway Campus

I’m Eva, a student in Year 11 and a passionate environmentalist. I have always loved the environment since I was young, but it was only in the past 2 years where I have really begun to understand the threats to our environment. 

Our world is growing at a fast pace, and with growth comes a higher demand for energy, food, clothing and land. In the past century, we have seen technology provide many solutions to the increasing demand. Unfortunately, these options aren’t always sustainable. David Attenborough says:

 'Anything we can’t do forever is by definition unsustainable.'

Right now, we are seeing politicians worldwide putting climate change on the back burner and once again prioritising our economy over our environment. Whether sustainability is a passion of yours or not, we can’t deny the scientific fact that climate change is happening and the way to prevent it is by making systematic change worldwide.

 I believe that the way we can create environmental change is not just by our actions as individuals but by holding companies and governments responsible for their environmental impact. The fashion industry alone is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions and 84% of clothes produced will end up in landfills or be incinerated.

 Current day consumerism provides for the habit of unconscious buying. Where items come at such a cheap cost that you don’t always need to think through your purchases because it’s only costing you a small amount. In reality that consumer mindset set in place by capitalism and the unsustainable ethics of the fashion industry, costs a lot more to our planet. 

On my Instagram @evaforourearth, I speak up and raise awareness about global influences like governments and big corporations who are causing mass destruction to our planet. Currently, the Australian government is not taking the responsibility we need to see on climate change. As a country, we have the opportunity to not only invest but to thrive economically with renewable energy. Australia has the ideal resources to create enough solar and wind energy to power our country and countries around the world. What people need to understand is that environmental action doesn’t equal economic failure. Whilst it will come with a big upfront cost, renewable energy will create approximately twice as many jobs as there are now in coal energy. 

A project I have been working on recently is natural dying. The colour in our clothes comes from approximately 3500 different chemicals and when those chemicals runoff from dying houses into the environment, the biodiversity suffers as a result. I have been using certain objects like fruit, flowers and turmeric to create dyes that reflect a natural and sustainable system. This is something I am hoping to continue to pursue throughout the next few years. 

To the people reading this article, the environment movement is only getting stronger and I truly believe if we continue to hold the government and big companies responsible, they will have to create change. Follow my Instagram to find out ways we as consumers can hold these companies and governments accountable. Remember change starts with awareness and education. There is hope for our future if we make our voices heard.