climatecrisis

Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles: A Climate Change Wake-Up Call

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Extreme weather in Los Angeles: why climate change action cannot wait


Our thoughts are with our friends and everyone affected in Los Angeles, as relentless wildfires devastate the region, destroying thousands of homes and businesses. The disaster, fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation resulting from a prolonged lack of rain, paints a grim picture of a landscape increasingly vulnerable to climate extremes. These recurring tragedies underscore an urgent truth: addressing climate change is no longer optional—it is a matter of survival.

Five major wildfires devastating Los Angeles: causes and impact


At least five major fires are active in Los Angeles County, including the Palisades and the Eaton Fire. While investigations into the causes of the largest blazes are still ongoing, the conditions driving their rapid spread are unmistakable: months of little to no rain, critically low humidity, and widespread drought. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles had already warned of the danger, citing damaging winds of up to 100 mph and extremely dry conditions as a perfect storm for “extreme fire behaviour”.

This devastating fire season comes after an exceptionally dry year. Over 83% of Los Angeles County is in drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, Los Angeles has not seen even a quarter of an inch of rain since April, as reported by Accuweather.

Whether caused by human activity or natural forces, these wildfires that devastate Los Angeles are yet another stark reminder of our collective disregard for nature. Recently, the Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed a grim milestone: 2024 has become the first year to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking the warmest year since record-keeping began in 1850.

The role of climate change in extreme weather


Experts agree that climate change is reshaping baseline conditions, significantly increasing the likelihood of such catastrophic fires. California, like much of the western United States, endured a decades-long drought that ended only two years ago, leaving the region exceptionally vulnerable to fire outbreaks.

The wildfires devastating Los Angeles are shocking, but, sadly, they are no longer surprising. As our planet warms, extreme weather events have shifted from rare anomalies to an unsettling new normal. These fires—among the most destructive in LA’s history—carry an urgent message: climate change is not a distant threat but a present crisis. The time to act decisively is not “before it’s too late”—it is now, because we are already running out of time.

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A Pause in a Boiling World

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Confronting climate change during the hottest summer ever


After a brief pause from writing, we’re confronted with a stark reality: the world isn’t just metaphorically but literally boiling. This realisation resonates deeply with us, not only with our work in the fashion industry but also with our entire lives.

Over the past few weeks, we journeyed through Italy, from Milano to the tranquil landscapes of Basilicata. Along the way, we immersed ourselves in beautiful places, savouring the food, connecting with people, and even grappling with Wi-Fi issues that forced us to momentarily step back from blogging. But what left the most profound impression was the relentless heat. The scorching temperatures, the unnaturally boiling seawater, everywhere. This was an unprecedented experience that made the reality of climate change feel more tangible than ever.

The summer of 2024 is now officially the hottest on record.

A Pause in a Boiling World
Basilicata – Marina di Pisticci


This extreme weather is having a profound impact not only on production chains and labourers but also on consumer habits and retailers. Yet, the fashion industry remains largely indifferent to this urgent crisis. Instead of responding to these challenges, the slowdown in consumer spending and the resulting decline in brand revenues are driving the industry in the opposite direction.

According to Business Of Fashion “Sustainability teams at big brands have been hit with layoffs; some companies have watered down their climate targets; and others are deprioritising sustainability efforts to focus on growth amid market volatility.”

Faced with financial pressures, the fashion system is prioritising growth and profitability, relegating sustainability to the background. Even the industry’s outward commitment to sustainability is starting to crumble.
Are we about to witness the facade completely collapse?

And so, in this moment of pause in a boiling world, the harsh reality of climate change compelled us to question everything.

How can we ignore the effects of this climate crisis on our lives and our work? Can the fashion industry really continue with business as usual? Should we reopen our boutiques as if nothing has changed? Is it possible to approach the Spring/Summer 2025 buying season without acknowledging the profound shifts happening around us?

Moreover, should we rush into the new Fall/Winter 2024-25 season? Still clinging to the outdated practice of dividing collections by season?

These are questions we can no longer avoid. The reality of our boiling world demands a thoughtful and immediate response.

We’re Back and Thrilled to Connect with You Again!

We’ve missed you! Dive into our latest post, and don’t hesitate to reach out – we’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, feedback, or just want to say hello, we’re all ears. Let’s start a conversation!

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“We Are Not Only in Danger, We Are the Danger”

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UN Secretary urges to stop taking fossil fuel advertising


In a speech in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful message to the audience, stating,”We are not only in danger, we are the danger.” 

Highlighting new data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Guterres underscored that the world is facing a “climate crunch time.” According to the data, there is an 80% chance the planet will exceed 1.5°C (2.7°F) in warming above pre-industrial levels in at least one of the next five years. A record already breached during the past 12 months.

Guterres: “We are the danger”


“We are playing Russian roulette with our planet. We need an exit ramp off the highway to climate hell. Like the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs, we’re having an outsized impact. In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs – we are the meteor. We are not only in danger – we are the danger” – Guterres warned.

The UN Secretary-General declared fossil fuel companies are “the god-father of climate chaos.” He urged news and tech media to stop taking money from fossil fuel advertising. He emphasised the urgency as the world struggles to limit the “climate crunch time.”

“It is a disgrace that the most vulnerable are being left stranded, struggling desperately to deal with a climate crisis they did nothing to create. We cannot accept a future where the rich are protected in air-conditioned bubbles, while the rest of humanity is lashed by lethal weather in unlivable lands,” he added.

Also, Guterres criticized fossil fuel companies for their minimal investments in cleaner forms of energy. Specifically, he accused them of”distorting the truth, deceiving the public, and sowing doubt” about climate science. He urged governments to ban fossil fuel advertising. And he called on public relations and media companies to cut ties with oil, gas, and coal interests. 

A call to action: choosing the planet over profit


Guterres’ words sound strong but true: “We are not only in danger, we are the danger.” In conclusion, he added, “It’s ‘we, the peoples’ versus the polluters and the profiteers. Together, we can win. But it’s time for leaders to decide whose side they’re on.”

His message underscores the urgency and gravity of the climate crisis. And he calls for collective action and leadership to prioritise the planet over profit. By framing the fight against climate change as a battle between the people and those who perpetuate environmental harm, Guterres challenges leaders and citizens alike to take a stand for a sustainable future.

The time for decisive action is now. And the choice is clear: protect our planet or face the consequences of inaction.

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2023: A Pivotal Year in Climate History

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The climate crisis impact on the fashion industry


2023 represents a pivotal year in climate history. In a sobering report by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), 2023 has emerged as the hottest year documented since 1850.

2023, the turning point in climate history


The global temperature surge has peaked at a staggering 1.48°C, alarmingly near the critical 1.5°C threshold. Specifically, September stands out as the hottest month on record, painting a stark reality check after the mockery of the recent climate summit in Dubai. In other words, the earth is about to cross the critical threshold, breaching the Paris Agreement target to keep global warming under that to prevent the most severe consequences.

Even if the world has not breached the 1.5° target, temperatures have surpassed the 1.5°C target on almost half the days of 2023, which sets a concerning precedent.

The cause behind this alarming spike is the unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide emissions, coupled with the return of the natural climate phenomenon, El Niño. Above all, our persistent inaction and procrastination in addressing necessary measures for 2050!

Immediate action, not in 2050!


So far, we’ve been grappling with droughts, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events. Now, it’s time to reconsider our approach to climate adaptation. Reshape it fundamentally.

What is the solution? It lies in immediate and concerted efforts to slash emissions. Now! Not in 2050! Every fraction of a degree in temperature rise intensifies the severity of catastrophic weather occurrences.

Fashion industry & climate emergency


The fashion industry is not immune to these effects, evidenced by the challenging sales of knitwear and outerwear during the Fall/Winter 23 season. Unfortunately, this hasn’t prompted significant shifts in how brands curate and sell their collections or how retailers conduct their buying and selling operations.

Fashion brands and corporations babble something about Net zero and green growth. But, their reluctance to embrace meaningful change relegates these promises to a vague future. A future far removed from the immediate concerns. And a future that when it becomes a reality, purchasing fashion items will be the last thing crossing people’s minds.

To the fashion industry: 2023 marks a crucial turning point in the history of our climate. What more do we need to witness before taking decisive action? What are we waiting for?

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Where are we heading

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Climate change: are we doing enough?

A true paradise: where are we heading – is the video released by Kevin Anderson, a climate scientist. And you cannot miss it!

“We are 32 years from the first major scientific report on climate change… What have we done since then?” “All we are doing so far is giving rhetoric and optimism and greenwash.”
“There is plenty of talk but no action.”- Anderson says.

When we hear people talking about sustainability, it seems like they limit the debate to specific fields without considering the fact that sustainability regards our whole lifestyle and all of us. However, with the bad habit of passing the buck and, most of all, thanks to a lot of greenwashing, we aren’t making any progress. Indeed, the climate disaster is happening faster than many thought. And it’s frustrating because greenwashing makes it impossible to have honest conversations. In fact, the more governments, companies, and brands fake, the more they get attention. And people trust them! But we would love to ask all these green companies: if they are really doing so good, why are emissions going up?

In the end, some people see the urgency, but most do not move a finger to change their habits! They are not interested in climate change, or change isn’t convenient for them. So they greenwash.

Must-see video!

Kevin Anderson released the video here below: Where are we heading. It’s a warning which invites us to open our eyes and stop believing political rhetoric and greenwashing. And also calls on us to push for bold policy changes.

Every word is precious, but we highlight some passages:
“Pseudo technologies are a facade to avoid asking the difficult political and equity based questions. ‘Net Zero’ is a real dangerous turn in my view, and really means NOT zero. I always say ‘net zero’ is latin for ‘kick the can down the road.”

“I have to be honest and say as someone who has worked on climate change for years, my best guess is that we are going to fail. But it is a choice to fail. Political leaders, academia and journalism, have repeatedly chosen to fail on climate for 30 years.”

His powerful words call for radical change. Furthermore, he makes it clear, politicians or corporations won’t drive the change. The hope comes from the common people, civil society, who can ask for more.

So, where are we heading? With his final words, Kevin Anderson opens to hope:
“It does come down to all of us to play our role as best that we can. It is a choice to fail and it is a choice to succeed.”

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