The fashion industry has been in the news in recent weeks, focusing on Shein – a fast fashion provider on steroids. The coverage claims workers in its supply chain are paid as little as 3p to work 18-hour shifts. If they make a mistake on the 500 garments per day they are required to produce, workers will probably see their daily salary reduced by two-thirds… which is on top of the fact they have no weekends off and get only one rest day per month.
The fashion industry produces up to eight per cent of global carbon emissions, which is equal to both the airline and shipping industries emissions combined. Textile dyeing is a major polluter of water, not to forget, luxury brands are linked to massive deforestation in the Amazon. Fast fashion is out of control, and the average person is buying 60 per cent more clothing today than we did 15 years ago, with each item kept for only half as long.
Human suffering and environmental degradation on multiple levels, and we keep buying more of it – more than we need. The industry is growing too, especially fast Fashion. “The global fast fashion market is expected to grow from $91.23 billion in 2021 to $99.23 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The market is expected to grow to $133.43 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%,” according to Research and Markets.
To get to the bottom of the issue and solutions, I was so happy to have:
- Jenni Thorman, founder of My Best Friend Jen and studio manager at Second Stitch
- Stephanie Dickson, founder of Green Is The New Black, host of the Live Wide Awake Podcast, speaker, and co-founder of UNTAM3D
- Raye Padit, founder and CEO at The Fashion Pulpit, fashion designer and sustainable fashion advocate
- And Susannah Jaffer, founder of ZERRIN, former beauty and fashion editor, brand consultant and community builder
These awesome humans joined me for a very powerful discussion on Climate Courage, titled ‘We must address excessive fashion consumption.’ You can find it in the friends and my content section below.
When attempting to understand the multiple crisis’ we face, speaking with experts of an industry is always enlightening. Every industry speaks its own language, but equally, people working in an industry understand the complexities of it, in a way those of us outside can never truly appreciate.
We kicked off talking about the complex challenges, which are multi-faceted and not easy to overcome at all. I definitely gained a much deeper level of appreciation of what has happened, is happening, and what the path to a more sustainable future looks like. The slow change I’ve been observing makes a lot more sense to me now too.
I also really valued their insights on what we can do – which is what Climate Courage is all about, focusing on our part in the crisis. Their insights were not in-your-face or judgmental, in fact, it was gentle and loving. It showed deep empathy and understanding of we, as consumers, and why fashion has such a unique place in the sustainability challenge.
I loved so many parts of the conversation, but my biggest take-away was our need to become more in tune and thoughtful about our clothing purchases. We need to start thinking more deeply, which if you know me, is something I talk about a lot. When it comes to our clothes and accessories, really considering the impact of our decisions, because when it’s cheap for us to buy, someone or somewhere is paying the price, and ultimately, we all pay the price.
I encourage everyone to listen to these four amazing people by watching this video, but also please follow them on social media – because they are sharing fantastic insights and tips we can all benefit from. When it comes to fashion, please also make sure you go beyond LinkedIn, because in this sector, the action is strong on platforms like Instagram, SnapChat and TikTok. Very creative too.
There are many layers in the planetary crisis that we need to address to ensure the future is not unbearable for our children. Which is why I am committed to speaking up to help raise awareness and hopefully, be a small part of the change we need to see in the world.
The crisis really hit home for me this year too. I have personally experienced four extreme weather events in the last four months on three continents. In fact, I just returned from my pandemic family reunion in Australia – which experienced terrible floods and there’s more on the way – to this in Phuket, Thailand. Thankfully it’s finally clearing up.
The floods in Cherngtalay, Phuket, 19th October 2022
Alright let’s get stuck into the reads.
Friend’s content and mine
How to bring vibrancy and life to your end-of-year festivities – from my friend, the fabulous Warwick Merry. I have endured many internal company events and I totally agree with his suggestions!
Welcome to Climate Courage – the actions we can all take, an introduction – I edited the script of the original Climate Courage launch for those who prefer to read.
We must address excessive fashion consumption – please watch and support these amazing people
Donation time
If everyone gave #just10percent of their time, talent, money or voice, we’ll change the world. Can you donate? Make it a regular donation to the World Food Programme. Or donate to the UN Refugee Program, Medicine Sans Frontier, PowerOf , Kiva.org , Soi Dog Foundation. It’s a time for giving and taking care of each other.
Content to read
And here’s the content I’ve been reading, watching or listening to this last week. Scan the headlines, read the ones that jump out at you, read, listen to or watch them all. Knowledge is power, and global knowledge is even more powerful.
Climate crisis
Australia floods: thousands ordered to evacuate as floods hit Victoria and Tasmania
New study reveals ‘staggering’ scale of lost fishing gear drifting in Earth’s oceans
Overconsumption, not overpopulation, is driving the climate crisis
Shein: Supply chain workers paid as little as 3p to work 18-hour shifts
What the Coperni spray-on dress says about sustainability in fashion
Report Shows Google, Other Ad Networks Fund and Profit From Climate Disinformation Sites
New Jersey latest state to sue oil companies over climate misinformation
Climate change made global summer droughts 20 times more likely
Supercells could bring intense storms to Queensland, NSW this week
David Suzuki goes on profanity-laden rant at federal government news conference
HSBC ‘sustainability’ adverts banned for missing detail on fossil fuel financing
Phuket Town braces for floods as Bang Yai nears overflow
Mopping up continues around Phuket
Phuket hit by widespread flooding, landslips
Flooding, mudslides, blackouts in Phuket tks Edgar Toral
Singapore, Australia sign Green Economy Agreement with 17 initial projects
The EU is about to ban all the best TVs you can buy
Gaia Vince: Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval World Economic Forum – Podcast
As Brazil starts repaving an Amazon highway, land grabbers get to work
How many grifters does it take to sell a hydrogen boiler?
Is Saving a Life Enough to Save the Ocean? | Peter Hammarstedt – tks Tabatha Tee
EXCLUSIVE | Shell has quietly closed down all its hydrogen filling stations in the UK
Power elite waiting for millions to die before acting on climate change: Amitav Ghosh tks Praveen Gupta
The Supreme Court’s Environmental Report Card: Which Justices are Failing?
1 billion crabs go missing, causing cancellation of Alaskan snow crab season
Canada is ‘weaving’ Indigenous science into environmental policy-making Tks Kevin Cottam
An MIT PhD has an explosive hydrogen lesson for Andrew Forrest
The Hidden Cost of Plant-Based Meat
From climate change denial to delayism: Oil firms send academics into the fray
Qatar says it’s World Cup will be carbon neutral. Experts have it a ‘greenwashing award’ instead
Jet fuel from nothing more than water, carbon dioxide and sunlight
C40 Cities – A global network of mayors taking urgent climate action
Global politics
Liz Truss resignation: World politicians and media react to Truss departure Published
‘Be careful what you wish for’: Suella Braverman mocked after resignation tks Tony Whybrow
Tory leadership: Hopefuls jostle for MPs’ support
‘Liz Truss the Brief?’ World reacts to UK political turmoil
Telegraph admits: Project Fear was ‘right all along’ tks Benjamin Jenkins
How much could Liz Truss earn after resigning? tks Colin Tate
The Economist Podcasts: No wilt to go on: let us bid Truss goodbye on Apple Podcasts
Could Boris Johnson really make a comeback?
Hu Jintao: ex-president escorted out of China party congress
Exclusive: Toxic culture has plunged the Bureau of Meteorology into chaos tks Phillipa Edwards
Fuel protests gripping more than 90 countries
America’s Latino Future Is Here
Trump subpoena: Former president ordered to testify to January 6 committee
How we got to January 6th The Gray Area with Sean Illing – Podcast
Inside Steve Bannon’s ‘disturbing’ quest to radically rewrite the US constitution
Afghanistan: Taliban torture and execute Hazaras in targeted attack – new investigation
Venezuela crisis: 7.1m leave country since 2015
Russian tower block in flames after deadly warplane crash
Russia dive-bombs Kyiv with ‘kamikaze’ drones
What Will Happen to America if Trump Wins Again? Experts Helped Us Game It Out.
Truss Gone
Business and technology
Kanye West agrees to buy right-wing platform Parler
Social issues and humanity
Pressure building for Diamonds, Netball Australia and mining magnate Gina Rinehart
242 – Survival of the Richest – Douglas Rushkoff – Podcast
Haven’t had COVID-19 yet? It could be more than just luck
Graham Norton Deletes Twitter After His ‘Cancel Culture’ Comments Spark Debate
Comedian James Corden apologises after Balthazar restaurant ban
UN urges investigation after 92 naked migrants ‘sent’ from Turkey into Greece
Francis Bacon and the four barriers to truth
No, you’re not entitled to your opinion tks David Lim
Passion, humour, history
100 seconds of BBC News going wrong
Russell Crowe at beer-and-popcorn Vatican screening of new film
Seth Green claims Bill Murray ‘dangled’ him ‘over a trash can’ on SNL set
JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Nicola Sturgeon lead tributes to Robbie Coltrane
William Shatner’s Depressing Account Of Space Travel Will Put You Off Ever Wanting To Go In A Rocket
Let me know what jumped out at you? Or share with me what you’re reading? I love that!
Cheers
Andrea
Environment education
Three environment resources to help navigate this challenging territory. 1. Knowledge, constantly updating. 2. Individual action and awareness, so we do our part. 3. Resources for those struggling with eco-anxiety. Please share with your community.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation – my latest book
Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone. If Covid19 has given us the time and space to reflect, Uncommon Courage gives us the nudge we need to create lasting change.
You can buy it on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Booktopia, Smashwords, Kobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.
Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.
You can read the reviews, including a five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another five-star review on Book Commentary and another on Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.
Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group Uncommon Courage.
Uncommon Courage, the podcast, is on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published, and keep your eyes peeled for my two live streams – The Know Show and Climate Courage.
The Know Show
Check out The Know Show. It’s a fortnightly wrap up of the news!
Climate Courage
A fortnightly livestream and podcast, discussing how we can all act on climate change. The previous one – is where I’m living safe?
18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?
Connect with me
andreatedwards.com , uncommon-courage.com
LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, Medium, Amazon.
Feedback
Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.
Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman