Fashion's environmental impact is a hot topic, and we have the perfect expert to guide us through it. Meet Jennifer Inaba, a communications manager at WRA and PhD candidate studying sustainable fashion. Jennifer's insights into the fashion industry's environmental implications are not just enlightening, they expose a flawed system that urgently needs reform. From water pollution to carbon emissions and the alarming growth of microplastics in our oceans, she takes us on a journey through the underbelly of the global fashion industry. If you've ever wondered how your clothing choices impact the planet, this conversation is for you.

We start by delving into the shocking statistics of the fashion industry. An overwhelming 100 billion garments are produced each year, a significant portion of which end up in landfills. But it's not all doom and gloom. Jennifer shares practical strategies to counteract this impact through practices like upcycling and participating in clothing swaps. We also touch on more severe issues like the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, underscoring the need for greater transparency and improved worker rights in the industry. This discussion isn't just about fashion; it's about the human and environmental cost of our consumption habits.

As we move into the latter part of the episode, Jennifer offers valuable advice on finding sustainable clothing,  supporting local thrift stores and shopping smart with sustainable brands. We explore how technology and policy can spearhead a more circular fashion industry, making recycling textiles the norm rather than the exception. From the idea of 'clothing nutrition labels' to reconnecting with nature, we discuss innovative approaches to transform our consumption patterns. If you want to be part of the solution, join us for this engaging conversation and gain a fresh perspective on sustainable fashion and conscious consumerism.

Further Reading

• Learn how you can take action with Fashion Revolution 
• Watch Jen's TED talk
• Get your Take Back Bag and recycle some clothes

2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

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