U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, addresses supporters after being re-elected, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Portland, Maine. House Democrats have launched a new caucus to shape policy that curbs the environmental impact of the fashion industry from “fast fashion.”
To counter it, a “slow movement” has emerged to promote fashion that respects people, the environment and animals. Rep. Chellie Pingree, co-founder and chair of the caucus, created the caucus after learning of the gargantuan landfill in Chile’s Atacama Desert filled with clothing from brands like H&M, Nike, Levis others — a garbage pile that can be seen from “outer space,” she said.
The United Nations Environment Programme found in a 2019 report that the fashion industry had become the second-biggest consumer of water, and accounted for up to 10% of global carbon emissions.