8 - 14 August, 2021
The week got off to a rather terrifying start with the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (for a good overview, click here). Described as a ”code red for humanity”, the clear message is that we are running out of time. The climate crisis must not be considered something for our future selves to worry about. It is happening now, right in front of us. You only have to go so far as the recent extreme flooding in Germany, wildfires in Greece and Turkey, and just this week, a heatwave in Italy (which may have broken a European record).
The report offered some pretty stark findings:
Human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions via the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, among other industrial activity, are unequivocally changing the earth’s climate.
Climate change is being observed in every region on our planet.
Extreme weather events will get worse, and occur more frequently.
We must act now, with strong, and sustained reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.
The media, and our social feeds have certainly been inundating us with everything climate crisis these past few days. While this is a positive in that it undoubtedly generates awareness and sparks conversations about the global issue, on the downside, being exposed to 'doom and gloom’ facts and images on a sustained basis can definitely take it's toll.
But as the amazing Aja Barber recently said, "We can't let ourselves be overtaken by climate doom" (be sure to read her full post here). I couldn't agree more. Therefore, to start this weeks post I thought I would share three simple things we can keep in mind when continuing the fight against climate change.
I have also included some interesting and useful reads and listens that I came across this week.
Note(s) to self
We shouldn’t underestimate our individual efforts. We look to others in order to find out what is appropriate and acceptable. So if we see others living and acting in particular way, we are more inclined to accept this as the normal. While our actions may seem insignificant, or that they won’t enact change, things have to start somewhere. Our individual changes are needed in order to bring about social and policy change.
We shouldn’t be reading and reacting to every piece of information out there. This is not helpful to either ourselves or the bigger picture for that matter. We should try limiting ourselves to a couple of reliable, and even positive sources out there, and if we are following accounts or pages that are making us feel bad, unfollow them!
While we must not ignore the issue, it is OK to take a break.
Take a read
Do yourself a favour this week and check out Vogue Scandinavia, and their stunning first issue cover featuring none other than Greta Thunberg. I think Vogue Scandinavia (representing the entire Nordic region: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland) is definitely one to follow, given they aim to be the most sustainable media organisation.
Once you have done that, read the cover interview The Wonders of Greta Thunberg: Read our interview with the voice of a generation, which covers everything from her activism, the climate crisis and her views on the wasteful and often unethical fast fashion industry.
Guilty of the odd impulse buy or fast fashion haul? Well good news! It is possible to alter your shopping habits, and become a more conscious consumer.
The article How to create sustainable shopping habits and keep them in place, featured on Stylist UK, not only explains some of the motivations behind our shopping endeavours (e.g. personal expression, emotional), but offers some great tips for improving our habits on a sustainable, psychological and financial level.
For more on this, in particular the psychology behind our (over)consuming ways, check out my article ‘Stepping off the (hedonic) treadmill’.
Take a listen
So you might have heard or read that the boss of fast fashion online retailer Boohoo came out suggesting that their clothing brands are "not throwaway" (you can read about it here).
Freelance journalist Sophie Benson, who focuses on sustainable fashion, the environment and consumerism, featured on BBC 5 this week and provided a great analysis of these comments, and their incongruence with the brands current messaging.
The segment can be found about 2 hrs 8 min in, and is available for about a month.
Please GET IN TOUCH or leave me a comment. I would love to know what you have been reading, listening or watching this week.
Emma xx
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