SHIRT FOR THE FUTURE

OBJECT PRODUCTION
2020
Old Navy blouse on James Perse t-shirt, thread

It’s 2020. Textile production is the world’s second most polluting industry after the oil industry. Every year, global emissions from textile production are equivalent to 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2, more than the carbon footprint of international flights and shipping combined. 8% of global green house gas emissions are attributed to textile production, washing, and discarding – almost as much as the entire European continent. If these statistics persist, by 2050 the fashion industry could use more than 26% of the carbon budget associated with two degree warming. Cotton takes vast amounts of water, pesticides, and land to farm, leading to worsening drought, ecological harm, and taking up land space which could be used to produce food or absorb carbon. In the age of fast fashion, more new clothing is produced every year, much of which never makes it to the store and clothing that is bought is worn a few times and then discarded. Only 1% of discarded clothing and textiles are recycled into new clothing as it is often cheaper for manufacturers to use virgin fibers. You can buy a t-shirt at Forever 21 for $4.99 + shipping and handling.

It’s 2050. In 2040 a high global tax was placed on all non-carbon-neutral textile production in an effort to decrease the textile industry’s carbon footprint. Middle class families can afford buying sustainably produced clothing and good condition second-hand clothing which they will keep until it’s no longer wearable. As new textile production decreases and personal wear lifetime increases, low income households no longer have the option to buy affordable, new clothing or good condition second-hand clothing. Many people are left to wear stained, ripped, and out of style clothing that they buy or already have. Some people who do not feel comfortable wearing clothing in this condition have gotten creative with refashioning their clothing to hide these imperfections.