2019 is ending, and we are soon in a new decade! Now a quick look back at what happened during the year here at ReThink. Did you get any new knowledge, and was it something you were missing? If you want us to tell you more about textiles and do some further explanation, Get in touch at info@re-think.nu. And remember, textiles can mean so much in various ways.
# TEXTILE TENSIONING BOARD
What do we mean by saying “textiles mean so much”. Well, textiles affect nature, animals, and the climate in various ways..
- We start with agriculture, such as the cotton plantation with enormous water use and large amounts of insecticides and fertilizers. Agriculture affects nature through depleted and poisoned streams, lakes, and groundwater. In addition, it affects wildlife, from the smallest microorganisms to insects and larger mammals.
- The next part is fossil fuels. We make most synthetic fibres (e.g. polyester and acrylic
from fossil fuels, thus plastics. We dress, sleep and live in plastic. Both extracting oil and making synthetic materials require large amounts of energy. This affects not only the climate but also nature. - The transport phase is often long in the refining process from natural or synthetic fibre to the finished product. Most of the transport uses fossil fuels as the primary energy source. Therefore it affects the climate even more.
- Finally, let’s look at the use of textiles. During washing, chemicals are released as detergents and rinse aids. In addition, microplastics leak from synthetic materials both during use and washing . How was it again? Did the treatment plants take up and purify the water from these chemicals or microplastics?
So, textile is a broad subject, and because of this broad spectrum, it affects everything from insects and large streams to the soil.
Yes, there is a huge connection. We, as consumers, can certainly not do everything, but we have been influenced a lot through the years. Not long ago, the conventionally grown bananas virtually disappeared from the stores. And how did it happen? A reduced demand!
With decisions based on knowledge, we can, among other things, use our consumer power to be involved and change.
THE SMALL ANIMALS
This autumn, we highlight the incredible small animals surrounding us, often even causing us annoyance. Though tiny, their importance is monumental! Take pollinators , for instance. They play a crucial role in plant reproduction by facilitating pollen spread, enabling plants to bear fruit. Essentially, they are instrumental in creating favourable conditions that allow us to enjoy a lavish lifestyle with mixed vegetables and fruits on our plates. Did you know pollinators can boost coffee harvests by up to 50%?
Apple trees also need help from pollinators. Other small animals, such as lice, can also harm these trees. The best and most sustainable pest control is biological control , such as two-tailed deer – often found in fruit trees. Chemicals kill not only the pests but also the good ones. The most frightening thing is that those insects become resistant, and higher and higher doses are required to eliminate the unwanted insects. We have also written about the essential decomposers , which cause leaves and dead organisms to turn into soil. In addition, we talked about the small animals that become food for other animals and, finally, the animals that live in wetlands . If you want to take a break from reading, you can check out our short films on all these little animals.
WATER
The next part we have focused on is the textile industry’s impact on the earth’s water. This autumn, you have been able to read about chemicals that leak into watercourses from textile factories and how it affects people who work and live nearby, animals, and nature both in the immediate area and far away. We have also written about what is being done to reduce the use of chemicals in, for example, dyeing clothes.
All our blog posts end with tips on what we can all do and how to rethink. Did you know, for example, that you reduce the leakage of microplastics from synthetic clothes if you wash at a lower temperature ? Another tip to reduce the textile industry’s environmental impact is to buy second-hand clothes . Do you have information you want us to spread, let us know!
Thanks to you who have followed us this year! See you again in 2020, when we will continue our work to spread knowledge about the textile industry and its impact on our nature! Please help us get even better. Ask questions to our reference group of researchers and experts in textiles, chemistry, marine biology, forest ecology, and entomology.
