“Can fashion save the planet? Through awareness, we evolve.”
RiverBlue Movie Review
To maintain life on earth, there needs to be accessible water from lakes and rivers, but rather than taking care of our waters, they’re being completely disrespected with toxic chemical dumping. The biggest pollutants come from the textile industry, and therefore the fashion industry. Many countries are experiencing heavy water pollution that is affecting the ecosystem as well as its own people’s health by getting into food and water supply. China, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia are the top countries polluting their own waters. These countries are mostly undeveloped nations that outsource cheap labor and production to big fashion companies worldwide, including but not limited to Nike, H&M, Zara, Forever 21 etc.
Textile production contains harmful chemicals. Waste waters from manufacturing sites are filled with hazardous chemicals from production, that then flood the once drinkable river waters. The contamination doesn’t stop at the borders of these nations; they travel around the world to other ecosystems and throughout the ocean, using 13.2% of all the water for human beings. Businesses are making money on the basis of environmental suffering. Because big businesses outsource their labor and use factories they don’t own, they aren’t able to oversee the production and pollution. They use this as an excuse to ignore their own contribution to the desolation of our environment.
Though change cannot happen overnight, change can happen, and biologically dead rivers can be reversed. London’s biggest river used to be heavily polluted, but after strict regulations and laws put into place, the rivers have successfully regenerated over the years. In terms of business strategy, simply owning your own factory and controlling its production process will have a great impact. Some examples of doing so are based in Milan and Spain where companies are using technology and innovation to reduce, if not eliminate, waste and pollution within their denim industry. The production of blue jeans causes some of the most pollution nowadays in the textile industry. However, these companies have figured out sustainable ways to produce blue jeans, while also being cost effective. This is the beginning of the whole “it’s too expensive to be sustainable” excuse becoming obsolete.
Sadly, it is clear that the developed countries are the ones coming up with the environmentally friendly ways of production, understandably so as they are the ones with access to education, information, technology, and innovation to make the change. Education and passion are ultimately what will resolve this deadly problem. Consumers have a lot of power. Those who become aware of the harmful effects of certain company products can use their dollars to speak out for change.
I knew that the fashion industry was the second largest contributor to our world's pollution. And I knew that polluted waters aren't safe to drink or use as humans but seeing it on film deepens my understanding. Seeing it makes it really real. So, if this is the perspective I’m getting as a consumer, what would it look like if big businesses actually went down to these manufacturing areas and saw the effects of their profits from “cost-efficient” production? Except, they don’t, because businesses have decided that outsourcing production equals outsourcing responsibility.
After watching this film, I honestly have no intention of purchasing new clothes anymore, unless directly from a sustainable company. I began thinking about thrifting and not only buying products second hand but using my design education and skills to turn something I kind-of sort-of like, into something I love. I have this talent and ability to make things my own from whatever material I want--why on earth have I not been doing this from the start?
The industry as a whole isn’t doing much in changing their sourcing decisions that negatively impact the environment. Yes, small businesses and start-ups are finding ways and innovating, but it’s the big businesses that need to make the changes to make the true impact. I think the very first step would be to move production to wherever the company is based. Oversight of production gives the business way more control over the manufacturing process and allows us to hold them completely responsible for any negative impact. Additionally, using the excuse that it’s too expensive needs to be thrown out the window. It’s 2023--you’re telling me that there’s no possible way for big companies to make products that are accessible and sustainable and while still being profitable. It comes down to laziness and a lack of passion and empathy for human life.
Consumers speak with their dollars. Companies continue to produce specific products because those products sell. If a consumer base simply stands here and talks all day about sustainable fashion, but then goes off and buys the same dangerously manufactured products, the companies are not going to care about sustainability because they are still making money. It’d be nice to live in a bubble and believe that all people have only good intentions and don’t only think of the bottom line, but that’s not how the world of business works. Voicing your demands does nothing. Buying only what you’re demanding and nothing else; that will do big things.
The industry is definitely NOT doing enough to educate consumers. They are ignoring it. If they don’t talk about it, if they don’t say anything about it, then consumers won’t start to demand change in the masses. The only ones who are educating consumers on the impact of production are the ones who are passionate for change. The industry needs to be forced to be more transparent and saying “Made in Indonesia” is not enough. The consumer understands that most products are made overseas; that’s a well-known fact. But they don’t see the effects themselves. Maybe every purchased product should list how much water was contaminated in order to make it. Or list the chemicals poisoning drinking water in order to manufacture an item. What about a photo of kids swimming in and drinking out of black or purple rivers? That might change people’s minds about buying most products. I know it certainly has for me.
This film has had a huge impact on my future choices as a consumer, as well as a fashion businesswoman and designer. I haven’t shopped through fast fashion after becoming older and more educated on the effects, but I also never really stopped to think about the fact that these negative effects are coming from all over, not just stores like Shein. I’m going to make it a goal of 2023 to add to my wardrobe only through thrifting or upcycling and changing items of clothing I already own. I have the skills, I have the talent, why wait until I have a fancy job to start consistently making things that make an impact...no matter how small they may seem.
Honestly, everyone has the power to change the environmental impact. Big businesses could decide to make the change on their own and move into more sustainable fashion practices. Minds of entrepreneurs and creatives can spend their time thinking of and innovating ways of sustainable production to make it widely available. And the little guy (aka the consumers) can be picky with where their money goes. Anyone can help reverse this incredible devastation, but it’d be nice if we could get everyone to do it.
Fashion is the second largest pollutant in the world and one of the most consumed products. So, I definitely think changing the toxic industry into something safer, healthier, and more sustainable can reverse the state of the planet. Obviously, it won’t solve everything, but it’ll do a lot. If such a huge industry makes such a huge, widely known change, maybe other unsustainable sectors (i.e., oil companies) will be changed or eliminated by the masses demanding more.
