Climate action in record-breaking heat
The 8th edition of London Climate Action Week (LCAW) brought together more than 45,000 climate-passionate people together. Ironically, while discussing our roles in the fight against multi-level climate inaction, the UK’s highest June temperature ever recorded was surpassed for three consecutive days. That record-breaking Wednesday, Earthfest inaugurated their LCAW agenda with two industry-facing summits: The Future of Transport and Energy and The Future of Sustainable Fashion. That day, I had the pleasure and privilege to volunteer at first-ever ‘The Future of Sustainable Fashion’ summit, hosted in the well air-conditioned Fabrica Mills in Kings Cross, London.
In addition to justifying the very need for climate action, the conditions under which the event took place highlighted the very privilege we have to be able to have these conversations in the first place. Although extreme heat is being experienced all over our planet, its consequences are felt in severely unequal ways. While we found ourselves turning up the air-conditioner in a country infrastructurally capable of meeting such high energy demand, a large portion of the world’s population experiencing recurring extreme weather conditions, often in Global South countries, cannot find such relief. The disparity between people’s experiences of climate change demonstrates we cannot talk about climate change as a standalone issue. Climate change, for me, is indisputably interdisciplinary and therefore solutions cannot be simplified into reducing emissions and waste. It is because of this that I am most proud to have been given the role of Supporting Feature Manager to Vaibhavi Joshi, the talented mind behind this incredible Sustainable Fashion summit. Where panel discussions placed sustainability at the intersection of environmental and social justice.
From the King's Trust to Earthfest
I was first introduced to Earthfest through the King’s Trust ‘Get Ready’ programme for careers in sustainability, when I spent two weeks learning from The London Clean Air Initiative team. While my undergraduate degree gave me critical thinking skills to understand the interconnection between world systems and climate change, the London Clean Air Initiative exemplified hands-on climate action, showing me that my climate activism and professional career can be one and the same. The passion, love and collaboration I saw within the team inspired me, and the course gave me the courage to volunteer, joining the team as an Earthfest Intern the month leading up to LCAW. My prior involvement with Earthfest granted me a position as Feature Manager, a role that demanded initiative and confidence, and where I undertook responsibilities such as welcoming and preparing speakers, organising and delegating volunteer roles, and helping attendees with any need, from water to private meeting rooms. The King’s Trust course gave me a great foundation for the Feature Manager role, particularly in regards to networking skills, allowing me to approach passionate and knowledgeable individuals with confidence. As a volunteer, in addition to helping out with logistics, I was able to listen in to some panels and discussions, an experience that made all my efforts over the last month worth it.
Action is local, but impact is global.
Exploring the Future of Sustainable Fashion
As someone with a growing interest in the structures behind the fashion industry, and some knowledge on the human and nature abuses that accompany the clothing industry, I found the summit incredibly productive and inspiring – echoed by both speakers and attendees. This summit brought an interdisciplinary lens into the sustainable fashion industry, which I consider essential when discussing any potential solutions to the climate crisis, though a curated selection of speakers. In an industry where sustainability centers around innovation, the summit provided balanced discussions on six different layers to fashion sustainability. The mix of scholars, sustainability experts, industry experts and more, guided conversations that intertwined ecological, social and business centred perspectives on sustainable fashion, thus spotlighted failures of the current systems, including some mainstream ‘sustainable’ solutions already in practice, while also bringing to light the incredible efforts undertaken by panellists for a more sustainable fashion future. Each panel introduced new layers to the sustainable fashion industry, demonstrating that sustainable practices are required at each stage of the supply chain, from materials used, to labour rights, to business models, consumer behaviours, and disposal practices.
I was particularly impressed by the collaboration with the Or Foundation, a Ghanan charity that through education and training provides an economic opportunity to underprivileged communities. By turning what was once considered textile waste by the Global North into fashionable new garments, the Or Foundation exemplifies successful scaled circular economy practices by intersecting environmental justice, social justice and fashion development.
My biggest takeaway from this summit, and the situation under which it happened, in London, during a heatwave, is that we are all crucial players in advancing sustainable practices. All our individual and collective actions have a direct impact around us, but most importantly, because of the increasingly globalised world we find ourselves in, the impact of our actions goes well beyond our square mile. Action is local but impact is global. It is by stepping back and looking from a wider perspective that we can truly understand what it means to act ‘sustainably’. I am so grateful for the learning opportunity volunteering at Earthfest gave me, both to strengthen my professional skills and expand my knowledge of sustainability within the fashion industry.
