 During the 20 th century, our quality of life has improved significantly  The textile industry has made enormous advances with the development of new fibres, fabrics, products and processes  We now have a huge selection of choices with regards to textiles, but at what cost?  Globally, non-renewable resources are being depleted, air pollution is increasing and the contamination of our waterways is creating ecological disasters

 THE CAPACITY TO ENDURE  For Humans, this means the potential of long term maintenance of well-being through the maintenance of our natural world and resources  So, how can we maintain our natural world and resources????? What is Sustainability?

 There are a number of ways that we can help sustain the environment for future generations: - recycle and reuse textile products - use fibres derived from the natural environment that do not deplete natural resources (natural vs man-made) - use Organic fibres (those that are grown without exposure to toxins) – this is known as Green Clothing because of its positive affect on the environment

A Sustainable or Green fabric is one that leaves the least impact throughout its lifespan - from creation, through its long life, and once it reaches its usable life's end. Some examples are:  Bamboo fibre  Organic cotton  Hemp  Pineapple husks  Soya  Wool

 Forty million animals die worldwide every year so that their fur can be used by the fashion industry.  The priority when the animals are killed is maintaining the quality of the fur, NOT the welfare of the animal  Ten million reptiles are killed for the skin each year and are sometimes killed in an inhumane way (skinning and boiling alive)  In silk production, silkworm cocoons are gassed, boiled or roasted whilst still alive

 A lot of water is required to produce fabrics eg. 1kg of cotton can take up to litres of water to produce  Cotton production has contributed to the depletion of the Murray-Darling water basin in Australia  The manufacturing processes also take considerable amounts of water  Contamination of water can occur through use of chemicals and pesticides

 Chemicals used throughout the production process let off fumes and gases that are harmful to our environment  We then have to breathe in this contaminated air - what other processes affect our air?

 Lack of available space for landfill from massive amounts of textile waste  Soil erosion  Reduced vegetation cover  Destruction of soil fertility  Contamination of the land through chemicals and pesticides

 Child labour in all levels of production: - Handpicking fibres - Applying pesticides - Fabric construction  Cheap labour in production processes – SWEATSHOPS  Some of the biggest companies in the world use these Sweatshops – is it fair? You Decide!