UNIT 5: AN OPINION ESSAY
Write all your opinion essays under the line below after having got feedback from the teacher. Use the your first draft to make all the corrections first before writing your final versions here. Including your name is not necessary because I have already got all your writings on paper. So, keep it private if you want‌ but do not hesitate to share!
Fast fashion must stop being fashionable. Nowadays massive consumerism makes factories produce around 80 billion items of clothing in the world every year. This has negative consequences on both global economy and the environment. We all must stop this rising trend of fast fashion for different reasons. Firstly, I personally believe consumers should be aware of the impact of fashion on the environment. In a world where climate change is affecting every single living being, wasting 2,720 litres of water to produce a t-shirt or 200 gallons for a pair of jeans is, to my view, unacceptable, especially when these items will be thrown away in a short period of time. Besides, we must consider the number of tones of CO2 released every year that equals the emissions produced by 6,000 cars. Secondly, regarding the economy, figures should make buyers think twice before acquiring a new product. Only in the Uk, 30 billion pounds of clothes are discarded every year, 95% of which could be recycled. Moreover, 30 billion pounds are never worn and they only become another unnecessary element to fill up our lives. Finally, massive production is usually connected to poor and unsafe working conditions and, as a consequence, employees, mainly in developing countries, work long hours for low salaries. In conclusion, the way I see it, consumers must establish a balance between fashion trends and common sense for the future. Fashion will always exist but that should not lead us to become unconscious and compulsive buyers who do not care about our planet.
FAST FASHION IMPACT In recent years the fashion industry has been led to a dramatic shift to a new industrial scheme, known as fast fashion. But what is the cost of this upward trend? In my opinion, fast fashion has negative impacts on both the environment and human rights. Firstly, I strongly believe that not only is it harmful for the amount of clothing that is discarded each year, but also for the amount of natural resources that are used for manufacturing. This industry has managed to make shopping for clothes more affordable but it comes at a high environmental cost. In fact, it produces 10% of all human carbon emissions and it is the second larger consumer of the world ́s water supply. Secondly, from a social point of view, many companies export production to developing countries with poor labour laws. Personally, I also believe that it is due to the sweatshops in those countries that these companies can produce clothing cheaply in exchange for low wages and poor working conditions. On the whole, it seems to me that the price we must pay to dress fashionably is too high. I don’t know what the future might bring but I believe that society is more concerned with the environment nowadays than what it was in the past and that the fashion industry should be able adapt to new trends, such as clothing with more ecological materials or recycling.
FAST FASHION IMPACT Fast fashion, as it is shown in the infographics above, seems to be the most dangerous business in our developed society. However, I can find some good explanations for its worldwide success. Nobody can deny that the fast industry has a large number of workers behind who need to make a living. Additionally, shoppers appreciate using these affordable items. That is why I am for the fast fashion business. Developing countries could not overcome the difficult problems they have to deal with and both men and women alike could not have the chance to become breadwinners if it was not for this kind of industry. Furthermore, fashion companies are proved to be the first phase of their development, just consider the example of China. It happens that modern societies enjoy buying, wearing updated dresses and accumulating countless items. What are the advantages of banning this pleasure? Beside, our globalized society is based on consuming. Thus, if consumerism dumbs down, our growth disappears, together with our privileged standard of living. Restricting pollution should be now a matter of some urgency and recycling more waste would be beneficial for everyone. Therefore, citizens should be encouraged to accept these compulsive requirements. In conclusion, I have the impression that the fast fashion impact on today's civilization is not so harmful as it is considered by many well-off Occidental inhabitants. Needless to say, however, that its drawbacks should be better managed. ________________________________________________________________________
FAST FASHION IMPACT
No need to say that fast fashion is a problem not only for our pockets but also for the environment. It is known that fashion is one of the most polluting industries and a big amount of natural resources is needed to produce the huge quantity of clothing that is being generated. Nevertheless, consumers cannot escape their share of responsibility, for instance, when they hoard clothes they never use. The way I see it, to change this trend, that is not only damaging our planet but also ourselves, we have to take conscience and change our habits as consumers and buy in a more responsible way. Consider if you need this new purchase or not and if the answer is “no”, please, don’t contribute to hoarding useless stuff in your wardrobe. In my opinion, we can continue using garments from the last years. If you still feel comfortable with them and they are in good condition, isn’t it better to buy a good coat that you are going to use three years in a row rather than being a fashion victim? Concerning the fashion industry, in my view, the authorities of those countries where clothes are produced must charge the factories with taxes to remove and recycle all their waste. Besides, they have to implement laws to avoid child labor, for instance. In the future, I would like to think that consumers and producers alike are going to become aware and change their habits, so that we can preserve our planet together. ________________________________________________________________________