Modern-day consumerism is a key underpinning for capitalism on which the majority of the global economy thrives on. Consumerism was rebranded after the Industrial Revolution as stores began scaling production output and disposable income increased. Quality of life was surely increased but at the then disregarded cost of overusing natural resources and unsustainable encroachment of the natural environment. The new economic gospel of consumption tied self-worth to possessions, unfortunately persists today. To conserve our natural resources we must put an end to ‘I shop therefore I am’ and embrace ‘less is more’ whilst we look to circular solutions.
How Fast Fashion And E-Waste Affect Climate Change
Fast fashion is rooted in consumerism and desire for more. This industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and at its current pace, GHGE will surge more than 50% by 2030. Fast fashion not only exacerbates climate change but harms the environment. Landfills accumulate textile waste from the 57% of disposed/used or unsold clothing. The tanning process that treats animal skins produce dangerous chemicals which are often incorrectly disposed of thus potentially polluting drinking water and soil. This industry consumes one tenth of global industrial water and produces 20% of global wastewater.
E-waste is also one of the most urgent and pressing challenges of our time, but it is routinely under-looked. Improperly disposed e-waste results in life-endangering toxic chemicals released into the environment and the demand for precious metals fuels bloody conflicts. Southeast Asia faces a spike in electronics consumption and consequently e-waste. The precarious market for precious metals in electronics is motive for incorrect disposal such as burning heavy metal-laden, plastic-encased electronics to quickly retrieve and sell metals. This releases carcinogenic emissions linked to neurological damage and muscle degeneration. Additionally, the global recycling rates are low with the average being 20%; the remaining 80% is undocumented, with much ending up buried underground from landfills for centuries since it’s not biodegradable.
The YSEALI Summit encouraged participants to explore the themes of renewable energy and materials because it’s important in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) which contribute to global warming and sustaining natural resources. Switching to renewable energy is only half the story since it addresses 55% of global emissions. To reach net-zero, we have to change the way we consume. By shifting to a circular economy where waste and pollution are reduced/ eliminated, we reduce GHGE across the value chain and by circulating products and materials, we retain their embodied energy. This way we can tackle those emissions associated with industry, agriculture, and land use – the remaining 45%. Two of the seven winning projects of YSEALI Summit Small Grants track, focused on renewable energy issues.
Team Re Up Change
One team tackling the theme of renewable materials with respect to fast fashion is Re Up Change. At its current growth rate global apparel consumption of apparel will rise from 62 million metric tons in 2019 to 102 million tons in 10 years. Re Up Change is an upcycling/recycling project in Laos that advocates for youth (18-35) to get educated on fast fashion, foster upcycling clothes and recycling consumer products by reaching them through social media and local community events (workshops). Their purpose is taking real action to reduce waste, spark conversation around recycling topics within the community, and encourage people to normalize using second-hand items and practice the 5 R philosophy (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle). Re Up Change inspired youth activists to practice the 5 R concept by repurposing products and learning sustainable consumer habits in their workshops and virtual events. Participants that attended the workshop on October 09th got the chance to use innovative tech equipment and learned how to make handmade products from waste materials with Xonphao Working Group.
Team Summitters 2.0
Another team championing sustainable and safe practices with respect to e-waste is Summitters 2.0. According to a study by the United Nations University, East and Southeast Asia generated 12.3 million tonnes more e-waste trash in 2015 than it did in 2010, a 63% increase. Summitters 2.0 purpose is to engage the youth environmental enthusiasts and collaborate on regional e-waste issues and learn about best practices for managing e-waste. The Fre-e-Waste project by Summitters 2.0 held workshops attended by 30 shortlisted ASEAN environmental enthusiasts. This 2 day event was held on Zoom and enlightened participants on e-waste and invited experts to discuss the existing challenges facing e-waste collection and treatment in their respective countries. Participants created an e-waste toolkit which was finally revised by experts and then uploaded in September for public access in all ASEAN countries.
View and download the e-waste toolkit by Summitters 2.0 here and check out Summitters 2.0 | Facebook! Let’s support Re Up Change in all their endeavors! Check out Re Up Change | Facebook.
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