Earth Day : Saving our Planet
Earth Day, celebrated on 22 April, brings attention to the need to solve climate change, to end plastic pollution and to protect endangered species.
We are already experiencing negative impacts from climate change as a result of global warming, with more severe and unpredictable weather patterns such as floods, storms, cyclones and droughts.
The way we manufacture and consume is not sustainable for our planet with irresponsible and disposable consumption habits destroying our natural resources; littered beaches and landscapes, clogged waterways and overflowing landfills. The exponential growth of plastic waste making it's way into our natural environment is threatening the planets survival.
And nature’s gift to our planet is the millions of species that we share it with, but through our actions we are upsetting the balance of nature and currently experiencing the greatest rate of extinction of many species.
This global destruction and rapid reduction of plant and wildlife populations are a direct result of human activity; pollution, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, unsustainable manufacturing and production. The impacts of our actions are far reaching and if we choose to do nothing then extinction may be our most enduring legacy.
So what can we do about it?
Socially conscious businesses are proving that you can earn a profit while still being respectful to craftsmanship, people and our planet. They are the game changers, designing, manufacturing and producing beautiful products that don’t cost the earth.
These sustainable brands are giving back on multiple fronts, operating in a circular economy, minimising waste and making the most of resources, with many also contributing to worthy causes or supporting disadvantaged communities.
We not only have to embrace these brands but we must make them the example.
Made With Respect recognise how misbalanced our ecosystems are so we have made it our mission to champion brands that do give a damn. These are a few of the inspirational brands we've partnered with and this is why we love them so much!
Recover produce 100% recycled t-shirts and apparel from discarded water bottles and cotton. 8 post consumer plastic bottles = 1 t-shirt. Recover has a 360° process - from design to manufacturing to fulfilment - sourcing recycled plastic bottles and upcycled cotton for materials; minimising dyes; significantly reduces the use of chemicals, water, and energy; and completely eliminates plastic packaging. Recover also work with other nonprofits to create positive impact, through their Clean Water Initiative, Recover donate one day of clean drinking water to a person in need with every product sold.
Wolven’s eco-friendly range of swim, surf and athletic wear inspired by nature and the need to protect our planet for generations to come. Made locally with OEKO-Tex certified Recycled P.E.T, a fabric that is made from recycled plastic bottles and free from harmful and toxic chemicals as well as carbon neutral modal fabric that is produced from wood-pulp fibres sustainably harvested. 27 recycled post consumer plastic bottles = 1 pair of leggings. Packaging is as minimal and low-impact as possible. Wolven also invest in programs that replace the resources they've spent.
Elvis & Kresse create luxury lifestyle handbags made from reclaimed raw materials - decommissioned fire hoses and leather. Elvis & Kresse create quality that lasts, combining craftsmanship with timeless design. For over a decade, thanks to Elvis & Kresse, none of London’s fire-hoses have gone to landfill with over 170 tons of material reclaimed. Elvis & Kresse are a certified Social Enterprise, redistributing up to 50% of profits to charities.
Tentsile was born out of savouring the tree, living within them, walking among them, and learning from them -what they offer, how they help protect us and the world around them. Tentsile are committed to conserving trees and helping replant deforested regions. For every tent purchased they make a donation to plant 20 trees with their partners. So far Tentsile have supported the planting of 700,000 trees in projects located across Madagascar, Zambia and Oregon.
Consumerism is at the heart of this problem; through irresponsible and disposable consumption habits we are driving the market and destroying our natural resources. For change to happen, we as consumers, need to understand the part we play and we must demand more from companies that we transact with.
We don’t need to go to extreme measures, we simply have to make more conscious choices in our everyday life to make a positive impact, we need to realise that small changes ultimately do make a difference. Through taking consistent conscious action we can start to be part of the solution.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly” Anne Marie Bonneau.
We must nurture the planet, we must be respectful of it and learn to live in harmony with it rather than pillage it.
Photo by Adam Zvanovec, Unsplash