Greta Thunberg appeared on the cover of the first-ever issue of Vogue Scandinavia earlier this week. The climate activist did the unexpected when she called out the fashion industry and claimed that all it did was greenwash people.
Models and public figures usually take to social media to announce their collaboration with fashion magazines and give credits to all those involved in the project. However, Greta Thunberg remained true to her core values and posted one of the images on Instagram talking about how fast fashion is contributing to the climate crisis.
“The fashion industry is a huge contributor to the climate-and ecological emergency, not to mention its impact on the countless workers and communities who are being exploited around the world in order for some to enjoy fast fashion that many treat as disposables,” Greta Thunberg opened up in an Instagram post.
“Many are making it look as if the fashion industry is starting to take responsibility, by spending fantasy amounts on campaigns where they portray themselves as ‘sustainable,’ ‘ethical,’ ‘green,’ ‘climate neutral’ and ‘fair.’ But let’s be clear: This is almost never anything but pure greenwashing. You cannot mass produce fashion or consume ‘sustainably’ as the world is shaped today. That is one of the many reasons why we will need a system change,” the young activist added.
While her confident stance is something to admire, she is not wrong in pointing out the same. There is absolutely no way that garment production doesn’t affect the environment and come off as fully sustainable.
Also Read | ‘Heartbreaking’: Greta Thunberg appeals for global help for India amid oxygen shortage
She told Vogue Scandinavia, “The last time I bought something new was three years ago and it was second-hand. I just borrow things from people I know.”
She further clarified that she is not taking a dig at the fashion magazine and said, “There is some kind of misconception about activists, especially about climate activists that we are just negative and pessimists, and we are just complaining, and we are trying to spread fear but that’s the exact opposite. We are doing this because we are hopeful, we are hopeful that we will be able to make the changes necessary.”
