Greta Thunberg calls out “ethical” fast-fashion for promising false sustainability and “greenwashing”.
Greta Thunberg, now 18, has featured in an interview for Vogue Scandinavia’s first issue. Apart from her role as an activist and her regular teenage life, she has made comments on the role of the fashion industry in sustainability. The activist criticised the role of fast fashion and its promotion of unethical work standards which “encourag[es] them [fast fashion] to expand and to continue their harmful process”.
And after the interview’s release, Thunberg continued calling out the hypocrisy of the fashion industry. In an Instagram and Twitter post, she continued her critique on the fashion industry’s abuse of working rights for the continued development of, often considered disposable, fast fashion. She stated that “you cannot mass produce fashion or consume “sustainably” as the world is shaped today. That is one of the many reasons why we will need a system change”.
With the publication of her comments, Vogue has faced criticism being brought their way. On an Instagram post of their own, they claimed to share the same values as the activist.
IPCC Report
Thunberg has also commented on a recent report released by the IPCC – the world’s most authoritative body on climate science. Their report warned of a warming of the globe by 1.5 degrees Celsius in the coming decade. This was released alongside information of more severe fires, cyclones, floods, and the threat posed towards Pacific Islander nations.
In a Twitter post, she described how unfortunate it was that the report’s findings were not so surprising. She also called out world leaders on how they have already sought to solve the climate issue.
According to the new IPCC report, the carbon budget that gives us the best odds of staying below 1,5°C runs out in less than 5 and a half years at our current emissions rate. Maybe someone should ask the people in power how they plan to “solve” that?
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 9, 2021
In spite of these fearful statistics, Thunberg has also expressed how these findings can allow one to remain hopeful. As stated in her Vogue interview, rather than the role of an activist being negative and pessimistic about current situations, as “we are [activists] because we are hopeful, we are hopeful that we will be able to make the changes necessary”.
It doesn't tell us what to do. It is up to us to be brave and take decisions based on the scientific evidence provided in these reports. We can still avoid the worst consequences, but not if we continue like today, and not without treating the crisis like a crisis. 2/2
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) August 9, 2021
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