While the world scrambles to find ways to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050, a number of industries have a unique opportunity to diversify their current product offerings. One such sector is textiles, which according to a study published last year accounts for up to 8% of the planet’s carbon emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
The fashion industry is costing the planet dearly and shows no signs of slowing down, with the World Bank estimating that greenhouse gas emissions could surge by more than 50% in the next six years. Fast fashion exacerbates this, with even discarded clothes releasing carbon emissions as they decompose.
The signs are obvious: things need to change. But change within an industry so powerful would not only disrupt economies but would leave already vulnerable workers out in the blistering heat. Over the past few years, there have been suggestions that one textile could provide some relief to the toxic cycle this industry has spun itself into—hemp. However, the heavy burden of putting faith in an alternative, instead of analyzing consumer behavior and greening industrial processes, could set a dangerous precedent for generations fighting to keep the Earth alive, and their existence sustainable.
This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Eyewitness News on April 7, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner Image: A hemp plantation / Credit: Bastiaanimage Stock via Adobe Stock.
Nica Richards
