"What is the
importance of knowing and considering the Biosphere
and Biodiversity when thinking about
fashion today and in the future. When thinking about the future of Fashion why be an earth systems thinker? "
To be a systems thinker, one must first understand what a system is. A system is described as “a coherently organized set of interconnected elements that constitute a whole, where the identity of the whole is always more than the sum of its parts.” (Robertson, 2017). So, an earths systems thinker is someone who applies a holistic approach to best understand the complexity of the Earths systems, and the issues that they face.
Because they understand the interactions and relationships shared between the parts, they are better equipped to comprehend the sequential implications of a single action on the environment, the economy and the population.
So, what does this have to do with the future of fashion?
To be a systems thinker, one must first understand what a system is. A system is described as “a coherently organized set of interconnected elements that constitute a whole, where the identity of the whole is always more than the sum of its parts.” (Robertson, 2017). So, an earths systems thinker is someone who applies a holistic approach to best understand the complexity of the Earths systems, and the issues that they face.
Because they understand the interactions and relationships shared between the parts, they are better equipped to comprehend the sequential implications of a single action on the environment, the economy and the population.
So, what does this have to do with the future of fashion?
Encompassing
the lithosphere, hydrosphere and the atmosphere, the biosphere is home to all
the living and non-living parts; every organism and element that is necessary
for the function of the earth. For the earth to thrive, there must be sufficient
biodiversity. In more simple terms, every organism has a role to play in a
biological system, and the greater the species diversity, the more resilient
and healthy a biological system is.
Regarded as the
second most polluting industry in the world, the fashion industry is a
significant contributor to the degradation of the worlds biodiversity. From
deforestation, the release of harmful dyes and detergents into waterways,
through to intensive water and pesticide use, the negative effects of the industry
are widespread and detrimental to the biosphere.
Simply speaking, the
current climate in which the industry is operating is not sustainable. If
careful consideration of the biosphere isn’t employed, there is no future for
fashion, or for the earth at all. Dame Ellen McArthur states in a BoF seminar: “the
future of fashion is a circular economy.” It is not enough for companies to
just implement “sustainable” strategies like just using natural dyes or not
burning their deadstock, if they are still contributing to a linear economy.
While these are great steps in the right direction, it is still not enough to
reverse the damage already done.
Adopting and applying earths systems thinking to the industry, promotes a more considerate, creative and innovative approach to every stage of the supply chain. This in turn, helps to develop viable solutions to the problems it faces and minimize its effects on the biosphere. It is up to earth systems thinkers to encourage and pressure fashion companies to start thinking this way and implementing smarter, truly sustainable strategies, before it is too late.
Adopting and applying earths systems thinking to the industry, promotes a more considerate, creative and innovative approach to every stage of the supply chain. This in turn, helps to develop viable solutions to the problems it faces and minimize its effects on the biosphere. It is up to earth systems thinkers to encourage and pressure fashion companies to start thinking this way and implementing smarter, truly sustainable strategies, before it is too late.
With all this in mind, why be
an earth systems thinker? Perhaps, a better question would be: why not?
Ref: Robertson, M. (2017). Sustainability Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.
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