What’s Fashionable? Sustainability
As awareness of organic cotton grows, the impact of organizations dedicated to promoting it become more visible. The World Congress of Organic Cotton takes place this year from September 21-24 in Interlaken, Switzerland. It is part of the United Nations declaring 2009 the Year of Natural Fibres.
The theme of the Congress, “From Fashion to Sustainability” identifies the profound change that is happening in the fashion world. No longer is fashion just “clothing of the moment”, instead it plays a critical role is determining the health of our environment.
The Congress, sponsored by the Swiss NGO, Helvetas, has asked our CEO, Wolf Luedge, to deliver a keynote address regarding communicating and marketing sustainable and ecological fashion.
Everyone involved in the textile chain – from growing through manufacturing – will be part of the Congress. Business leaders, technical experts, project managers, CSR and marketing specialists will be working together to identify solutions and innovations for cotton.
Cotton is the leading fiber grown worldwide. Yes, it is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s sustainable. When conventional cotton is grown, tons of pesticides and other chemicals are used. They not only harm the soil and the water, they also can destroy the health of the farmers and their families. Fair Trade organic cotton represents only a tiny fraction of the worldwide cotton market.
Continuing to raise awareness of the importance of wearing organic cotton and other fibers is critical to our future. The Congress provides a forum for all those who are committed to this goal. We are all looking forward to it.
Tags: Environment, Fair wear, Fashion, Helvetas, natural fibers, organic clothes, organic cotton, Social responsibility, sustainability
Written by Michael Krause.
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