In a world increasingly aware of the need to protect our planet, terms such as "planetary limits" have become essential in the conversation about sustainability, it is important to raise the level of it that allows us to stop falling into common adjectives and start talking about theory. Now, what exactly are these limits and how do they relate to sustainable fashion? In this article, we will explore planetary boundaries in a comprehensive way and see how the fashion industry can play a key role in maintaining an environmental balance.
Planetary Boundaries: The Compass of Sustainability
Planetary boundaries are like warning lines that mark the health of our planet. There are nine key scientific indicators developed by the Stockholm Resilience Center:
- Climate crisis.
- Ocean acidification.
- Ozone hole.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus cycle.
- Water use.
- Deforestation and other land use changes.
- Biodiversity loss.
- Particle pollution from the atmosphere.
- Chemical contamination.
These limits are reference points that we must respect to avoid irreparable damage to our environment. In our article What is sustainability and why is everyone talking about it? We talked about sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs, but how do we know that we are doing it well, how do we know to what extent we are not compromising the resources of future generations, precisely to That is how planetary limits are created to be able to know the line that we should not cross. Today we have overcome three of them, hence the importance of acting now.
Now, how can planetary limits be applied to our daily lives? An example of this is the fashion industry, with its intensive production and use of unsustainable materials, it often exceeds several of the aforementioned limits. The excessive use of resources, greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, chemical pollution, ocean acidification are some examples of how fashion can contribute to planetary imbalance.
As we already know our limits to “guarantee” our existence, we must seek to align our practices with them. This involves drastically reducing carbon emissions, choosing low-impact materials that take care of the soil, do not encourage deforestation, do not send residual chemicals into the environment, promote the circular economy and respect biodiversity.
So how can we make planetary limits tangible in our decisions. This is where the creativity of designers and the choices of consumers come into play. From choosing organic cotton to reusing garments, our industry can adopt various productive forms and material innovation to avoid exceeding guidelines.
Knowing what companies and industry can do, we are left with the question of what consumers can do. Every choice we make, whether buying clothes or supporting brands, has a cumulative impact on the balance of our planet. Knowing planetary limits enables us to make more informed decisions and promote an industry that contributes to a more sustainable and healthy future. Furthermore, knowledge allows us to be critical and ask uncomfortable questions that brands often do not want to review.
Planetary boundaries are reminders that our planet has natural boundaries that we must respect to maintain harmony. Sustainability in our industry is an opportunity to change the way we interact with the environment and create a future where style and sustainability coexist in a balanced way.