Five changes we need from fashion, to protect people, our fellow animals and the planet Collective Fashion Justice.Hayley Bruner Jun 25 2025  Citizen consumers, the fashion industry and global governments are starting to shift their priorities, recognising that a sustainable and ethical fashion industry is not something ‘nice’, but essential to fashion’s continued existence.But to fully realise a vision of total ethics fashion where people, animals and the planet are prioritised ahead of profit, a lot more must be done. Here are five key changes we still need from fashion, and fast. Material phase out: fossil fuel-based synthetics......Synthetic materials like nylon, acrylic, and polyester make up nearly 70% of all clothes on the market today. These fabrics are made of crude oil, despite the global urgency of ending fossil fuel extraction to curb climate crisis and protect biodiversity. These materials are essentially made of plastic, with microscopic fibres shedding when they are washed. That means that each time we wash polyester shirts, an influx of microplastics can enter water supplies, local environments, and ultimately, our bodies. Synthetic garments are also major pollutants in landfills and other clothing dumps that are intentionally concealed from the view of Western consumers through waste colonialism. This process sees Global South nations forced to deal with this waste and the environmental harms caused by it. Material phase out: animal-derived materials......The breeding, rearing and slaughtering of animals for fur, leather, wool and feather down contributes disproportionately to today’s most serious environmental problems. Methane emissions are far more potent and harmful than carbon in the short-term, and slashing these can curb the climate crisis. Yet, the fashion industry’s exploitation of cattle, sheep and goats results in enormous methane emissions. Animal-derived materials are also land inefficient, requiring far more once biodiverse land to be cleared for production than plant-based, recycled and other innovative materials. As a result, animal materials pose serious wildlife and biodiversity risks. As we work to ensure fashion respects the life of the Earth, we must also ensure all sentient life on the planet is protected. The use of animals for materials denies animals their autonomy and wellbeing, seeing them routinely confined in cages, mutilated, and slaughtered without regard for their pain or rights. Material phase out: uncertified cellulose........The third material that the fashion industry must move beyond is uncertified and irresponsibly sourced cellusoic fibres.,,,,,read on, there's three more https://www.collectivefashionjustice.org/articles/five-changes-we-need-from-fashion