Assignment 8: Week 8: Term Project Paper Write your final research topic paper. This outline must follow the format utilized in the prior outlines as far as section headings. This final paper should

Week 5: Term Project Part 3 -Referenced Outline

Dexter Harris Jr

American Military University

RLMT302

December 11, 2022

Professor Stites

Abstract

The fast fashion industry is a major contributor to global environmental injustice. Although fast fashion is often seen as a positive development in the fashion industry, it is detrimental to the environment due to the excessive use of resources, high pollution levels, and excessive waste production. This article examines the environmental injustice of fast fashion from a global perspective. The authors use a combination of literature analysis, fieldwork, and case studies to explore the environmental impacts of fast fashion. They provide examples of the negative environmental impacts of fast fashion, such as the use of toxic chemicals and dyes, air and water pollution, and the destruction of natural habitats. They also discuss the socio-economic impacts of fast fashion, such as the exploitation of workers in developing countries and the resulting increase in poverty.

Week 5: Term Project Part 3 -Referenced Outline

Introduction

Fast fashion is "a process of rapidly producing cheap clothing in response to the latest trends" (Bick et al., 2018, p. 1). The fast fashion industry has become a major contributor to climate change. Furthermore, the production of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, requires large amounts of energy and generates large amounts of pollution and waste. Therefore, in this essay, the role of the fast fashion industry in global environmental injustice will be reviewed through research analysis.

Literature Review

Niinimäki et al. (2020) illustrates that fast fashion has a severe environmental impact on the planet. The researchers used data from the Global Fashion Agenda's Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2020 report to evaluate the current state of the fashion industry's environmental impacts. The results showed that the fashion industry is responsible for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change. Furthermore, the industry is a major contributor to water pollution, waste production, the use of hazardous chemicals, and the exploitation of natural resources such as water, land, and energy. The authors concluded that fast fashion is a major contributor to the global environmental crisis, and urgent action is needed to reduce its environmental impact. They argue that a shift towards more sustainable practices, such as using sustainable fabrics and dyeing methods, reducing water and energy consumption, and increasing the recycling of materials, is essential to reduce the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

Zamani et al. (2017) found that the life cycle assessment of clothing libraries can reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion. The study found that clothing libraries, which allow users to borrow and exchange clothes, can reduce the number of clothes purchased, decreasing the environmental impact and cost associated with the production and disposal of clothing. The study found that the environmental impact of clothing libraries is primarily reduced due to the decrease in new clothing production, which is the main contributor to environmental impact. Additionally, the study found that the environmental impact of clothing disposal is significantly lower since clothing libraries reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfills. Furthermore, the study found that clothing libraries can help reduce transportation's environmental impact since the clothing is shared between multiple people and locations. Overall, the study concluded that clothing libraries have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts associated with fast fashion and could be an important strategy for reducing environmental impacts.

Findings

The main findings of this study are that the fast fashion industry has created a global environmental injustice. Fast fashion is the trend of producing clothes quickly and cheaply. It has caused a global increase in textile production, leading to a significant increase in water and air pollution. The study found that the majority of the environmental impacts of the fashion industry are experienced in countries with developing economies and low human development indices. These countries have fewer resources to manage the environmental impacts of the industry and are less able to protect their citizens from environmental harm (Bick et al., 2018). Poor and ethnic minorities, are disproportionately affected by the negative effects of fast fashion according to the study. Finally, the study found that, in addition to its environmental effects, fast fashion significantly negatively impacts the health of garment workers in developing countries. This study provides evidence of global environmental injustice and highlights the need for action to reduce the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

Conclusion

Overall, Bick et al. (2018) have made a compelling case for the environmental injustice of fast fashion. The authors have discussed how fast fashion contributes to environmental degradation and how it disproportionately affects marginalized and low-income communities. They have provided evidence to support their claims and discussed possible solutions to the problem, including increased regulation and consumer education. While there are no easy solutions to this global problem, this article has provided valuable insight into the impacts of fast fashion on the environment and society. Fast fashion is an important issue that needs to be addressed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future.

Future Research

Developing new materials and fabrics that are more sustainable and less damaging to the environment is a critical place to start for research. Another research project could focus on improving production processes and techniques to reduce the amount of energy, water, and chemicals used to produce fast-fashion clothes (Rhein and Schmid, 2020). Additionally, the research could focus on designing clothes that are more durable and last longer, which could reduce the need to replace them as often.

In addition, the research could explore ways to increase the recycling of fast fashion items. It could involve developing new technologies for recycling and repurposing used clothing. It could also involve developing new ways to reduce the amount of waste created by fast fashion production and consumption (Bick et al., 2018). Research could also be done to identify the most effective methods of promoting sustainable fashion choices, such as encouraging people to buy second-hand clothing or rent instead of buying new items.

References

Bick, R., Halsey, E., & Ekenga, C. C. (2018). The global environmental injustice of fast fashion. Environmental Health, 17(1), 1-4

Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H., Perry, P., Rissanen, T., & Gwilt, A. (2020). The environmental price of fast fashion. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1(4), 189-200.

Rhein, S., & Schmid, M. (2020). Consumers’ awareness of plastic packaging: More than just environmental concerns. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 162, 105063.

Zamani, B., Sandin, G., & Peters, G. M. (2017). Life cycle assessment of clothing libraries: can collaborative consumption reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion?. Journal of cleaner production, 162, 1368-1375.