TOPIC: ENVRIONMENT
The impact of fast fashion on the environment
Good morning, judges. Before starting my presentation today, I would love to invite you to
join me in 2 stunning fashion shows of featuring their latest collections of H&M.
Scene 1: Background of a fashion show introducing Christmas collection of H&M.
People wear clothes with Christmas designs and catwalk professionally in the Christmas to the
Christmas songs.
Scene 2: 2 weeks later slideshow.
Scene 3: Background of another fashion show introducing another collection for Tet holiday
of H&M.
People wear clothes with designs for Tet holiday and catwalk professionally to Tet music.
Scene 4: Coming from the backstage, A start to say:
“Now, let's take a step into the world of fashion, but not the glamour and glitz we often see
on the surface. Our skit beautifully highlighted the allure, but now, let's peel back the layers
to uncover the deeper story behind the scenes – the story of fast fashion and its profound
impact on our environment.”
Fast fashion, also termed as: “throwaway fashion” refers to ‘cheaply produced and priced
garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get pumped quickly through stores in order to
maximize on current trends.
Nowadays, lots of young people love changing their clothes often to stay fashionable. That’s
why fast fashion is gaining greater popularity in recent years. This surge is further fueled by
engaging discussions about fashion and brands on platforms like TikTok and Shopee.
How fast fashion is expensive for us and our planet.
With its growing popularity, the fast fashion trend has taken a toll on our environment due to
the fact that people are buying too much and throwing it away without a second thought.
Probably everyone knows this problem: Despite standing in front of an overflowing wardrobe,
we still can’t find anything to wear. The thinking that “I’ve worn that top on Instagram, and I
don’t want to wear it again” or “This shirt has ripped, I will throw it and get a new one” has
created devastating consequences. The top from the Instagram post, it could have ended up as
one of 15 million items arriving to the shore of Ghana each week. Or it could have ended up on
the mountain of clothes in the Atacama Desert in Chile, a pile so big, it’s now viewable from
space.
But fashion waste is only one side of the coin. We are producing so many clothes that the
fashion industry’s carbon emissions each year are more than all international air travel. In fact,
the industry is responsible for 10% of carbon emissions, as the data shows.
The fast fashion industry is also responsible for polluting fresh water with chemicals because
the chemicals that are used to dye textiles end up in rivers as wastewater without any kind of
filtering or recycling, especially in developing countries. In fact, washing clothes releases
500,000 tons of microfibers into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.
It goes without saying that these chemicals can also be life-threatening for animals, plants, and
local communities by following the cycle illustrated in the diagram.
However, fast fashion impact on the environment does not end there. Did you know that in
2015, the textile and clothing industry consumed approximately 79 billion cubic meters of
water. Moreover, creating one T-shirt requires about 2,700 liters of water, equivalent to an
individual's drinking water for 2.5 years. Surprisingly, crafting a single pair of jeans demands
nearly 2,400 gallons of water. Additionally, the fast-fashion industry annually manufactures
around 100 billion clothing items, with roughly 60% being constructed from plastic-based
materials.
In every challenge lies an opportunity for a solution. There are ways that we can do to
prevent or at least reduce the impact your fashion consumption has on the environment.
Making conscious choices in our shopping habits, like buying fewer but higher quality clothing
items and considering second-hand options, can make a significant impact. Opting for natural
materials such as cotton instead of synthetic fabrics like polyester helps reduce harm to the
environment. Moreover, washing clothes less frequently not only prolongs their lifespan but
also saves water. Repairing and upcycling garments rather than throwing them away at the first
sign of wear play a crucial role in promoting sustainability. These straightforward yet impactful
actions empower individuals to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion and promote a
more thoughtful and eco-friendly approach to how we consume clothing.
Ending
Throughout my presentation, we've peeled back the layers of fast fashion, revealing its
detrimental impact on our environment and its Increasing influence in today's trends. From
the staggering environmental footprint, including excessive water consumption and pollution,
to the accelerated production leading to textile waste, fast fashion's implications are
undeniable. My purpose today was to shed light on the impact of fast fashion on our
environment. Yet, the power to effect change ultimately lies within each of us. As a saying goes
"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed." Let's
remember these words as we embrace more mindful choices in our fashion consumption.
Together, let's weave a future where style meets sustainability, where our choices honor our
planet. Bearing this in mind I would like to bring my presentation to an end. Thank you.