By Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo
(Speech during the Unstitch: Sustainable Fashion Forum at Poblacion Central Market on April 20, 2024)
Transforming fashion towards sustainability is more than a trend -it’s a responsibility we owe to our planet and future generations. Redefining consumption habits, advocating for ethical practices, and embracing a fashion forward mindset that respects both style and sustainability, together, we can make a lasting impact.
Today, I stand before you to shed light on the often overlooked impacts of the fashion industry on our environment and communities, it is imperative that we pause and reflect on our consumption habits.
Fashion, undoubtedly, is a powerful form of self-expression, a creative outlet that allows us to showcase our personality and individuality. However, it also wields significant influence over our planet’s health and affects our environment. The truth is, our current patterns of consumption are unsustainable. “Fast fashion” has fueled a culture of consumption, where trends are fleeting and clothing is disposable. If you observe nowadays, we can easily buy clothes on Tiktok, shopee, Lazada and online platforms and dispose of the sane when new trends come, hence in the long run, will entail an overflow of discarded garments in landfills which can cause a great impact on the environment.
However, amidst these challenges, I am actually pleased that various advocacies were initiated raising awareness of fashion and its impact on the environment and to the community. I think the rise to sustainable fashion is a movement towards a more responsible and ethical approach to clothing production and consumption. I particularly believe that his move matters because our choices as consumers hold the power to shape the future. Through engaging with such movement, this would definitely encourage the youth to cherish quality over quantity, to invest in pieces that endure beyond fleeting trends.
The the youth from the Global Shapers Community-Davao Hub, I highly commend your effort for today’s event in upholding awareness on fashion and sustainability. May Unstitch serve as a catalyst for change, igniting a ripple effect of conscious consumption and mindful living that transcends borders and empowers communities worldwide.
Again, let us remember that sustainability is not a trend, it’s a moral imperative, an obligation we owe to our planet and future generations. Let us choose fashion that not only looks good but does good.
