This past Friday, September 20th, was the world-wide climate strike. Inspired by activist Great Thunberg (who is only sixteen but way cooler than I will ever be) the climate strike encourages people to walk out of school or work to call attention to the global climate crisis.
My university organized its own strike, and I was excited to take part. I dumpster dove the night before to find some cardboard to make a sign. On it, I wrote “END FAST FASHION” and included the following stats:
U.S. Consumers send 26 Billion lbs of clothing to landfills each year.
Producing one new pair of jeans uses 20,000 liters of water.
The strike was in the early afternoon and my only afternoon class is creative writing. I was planning on skipping class regardless, but my professor canceled class in solidarity, which is even better. I even saw some of my classmates at the protest.
Upon arriving I met up with some friends, but I was pleasantly surprised by the community atmosphere. I found myself talking to many strangers who were also passionate about climate issues. The picture I’ve included from the event is me with someone I had just met.
The event included petitions and pledges to be signed as well as student, faculty, and community member speakers. During the transition periods between classes, we did a call-and-response chant
“Why are we here?”
“Climate Change!”
“And what do we want?”
“Transformative Action!”
It was really powerful to be a part of. One of the speakers, a woman who was a community climate activist, came up to me after her speech because she noticed my sign. She told me about a conference on sustainable textile and garment practices that is happening in a neighboring town in October. I really hope to be able to attend and will be sure to update you all with what I learn.
While this blog is about sustainable fashion, I also make conscious efforts in other parts of my life. I participate in a neighborhood composting program. I always carry my glass straws and reusable water bottles (of which I have many). I bring reusable fabric totes with me (some of which are made from old t-shirts) whenever I go shopping. At the coffee shop, I bring my own reusable cup or ask to have my drink in a mug. I reuse packaging in creative ways.
All of these things are little switches in your life that will help the planet while making you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
As the queen herself, Greta Thunberg says “I want you to act as you would in a crisis. I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is”
Climate activism is not for the few, but for everyone. If you are living your life as if climate change does not exist, you need to wake up. I’m not asking you to be perfect, but I’m asking you to do something, anything, to help heal our planet. What will you do to live more sustainably?
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