The People's Climate March took place across 166 countries during the weekend of 20th and 21st September 2014 ahead of the UN Climate Summit in New York City on 23rd September. People took to the streets together in pursuit of a shared goal - energy for the world from 100% clean and renewable sources. This IS possible. And great things are happening now, but more needs to be done. Individuals can do so much on a practical level in their homes, places of work and education. That collective action will make a difference, but we need governments to set ambitious targets for renewable energy which require hard and fast work. We need our leaders to lead, to break out from existing in the control of fossil fuel corporations, not to be afraid of the politics of power. The People's Climate March was about forcing our leaders to see what the people want. That healthy ecology equals healthy economy. That destroying the planet for short term gain leaves our children and their children and their children disadvantaged as they clean up the mess of today. That it's unfair to subsidise massive fossil fuel corporations, let them pollute for free, and then use the people's tax money to repair the damage. THIS HAS TO STOP.
I volunteered for Avaaz in Melbourne and their hard work, global reach and determination is truly inspiring. It was also great to meet other volunteers and march alongside other organisations including Get Up, 350.org, and Greenpeace.
I bought three vest tops from my local Salvos store to upcycle into a dress to wear for the march, inspired by three shades of green and the Avaaz hearts.
Check out #peoplesclimate and #worthsaving on social media for thousands of pictures, film footage and information from the summit. A couple of things to watch below that have really inspired me recently...
Upcycle Fashion is a partner for the Waste Less Live More week campaign, taking place between 17th - 21st September 2012. It will be a week long campaign celebrating and demonstrating that what's good for the environment is good for us.
Upcycle Fashion will be running workshops as part of the campaign - more info to follow soon!
Check out the website for more information about the campaign and how to sign up to be a partner or supporter http://wastelesslivemore.com
Like the facebook page and spread the message on twitter #wastelesslivemore
The new Mary 'Queen of Shops' Living and Giving shop for Save the Children in Primrose Hill is gorgeous! The shop was previously inhabited by the fabrics and business of Ian Mankin, a natural and organic fabric shop, selling fabrics woven in Lancashire, where I still work part time (now relocated to expand our other shop in Fulham).
The transformation of the shop is stunning and I was amazed to see the fantastic change that has been created.
Well worth a visit: 109 Regents Park Road, London.
At a Food Workshop with fellow Hackney City Farm Green Ambassadors this afternoon, three of the main points the group focused on were also strongly linked to those that continuously appear within the debates and discussions around our sustainable fashion industry. With particular focus on these issues it was interesting to see that people pioneering and promoting sustainable lifestyles in whatever industry face recurring themes.
1) Value: Realising and appreciating the real cost.
FOOD - this was of particular importance in terms of understanding and appreciating the nutritional value of fresh produce, and also the effects our food can have on our environment, directly on our bodies and health and the health of those that farm it. The value of cooking a meal and having food readily available is something that many people take for granted when they have no connection to the farming, harvesting and distribution processes.
FASHION - understanding the value of clothing also can rely on the connections we have to our clothing and wether or not we feel connected to the process of manufacture. Appreciating the value of clothes often ensures a long use phase as they are less likely to be seen as disposable if regarded as a valued item.
VALUE= It is only when people see something as important or understand the value of something that they will change lifestyles. If you want to do something, if you regard it as important, you will incorporate it into your lifestyle long term.
2) Availability - Working only with what is available at certain times of the year.
FOOD - Growing, buying and cooking only seasonal produce is a great sustainable aim, and along the way promotes local produce, a respect for the environment and a necessary education of the way our food grows. Learning about what is in season shouldn't be seen as limiting, but as a natural approach to cooking and developing different recipies as the seasons come and go.
FASHION - One of the main elements within upcycling, is working with what is available. Although this cannot be controlled in the same way as the seasonal growing of food, the vast volume of unwanted and slightly damaged clothing sourced for upcycled garments inspires the design, working with what is available at certain times...letting the materials and garments available inspire what you create is one of the most exciting and unique elements of upcycling...
"The Artists, Craftsmen and Designers now suffer from the tyranny of absolute choice. When everything becomes possible, when all the limitations are gone, design and art can easily become a never ending search for novelty, until newness becomes the only measure."#
Victor Papanek, Design for the Real World. p.42
AVAILABILITY= This sould not be seen as limiting, but acknowledged as an element out of our control, and used to inspire creativity.
3 - Community and Learning - Involvement
FOOD - One of the great memories many people associate with food is the social environment in which it is eaten and shared. Cooking with family or friends, cooking for family and friends and eating with a group of people is something that should be harnessed to promote sustainable attitudes to food. Food communities, Growing Communitues, shared food boxes and community allotments are ways of bringing people together through the growing, cooking and eating of food, and through sharing these experiences we can learn a great deal.
FASHION - Feeling connected to and involved with the process of garment creation and learning through working in a group is something that also applies to many fashion initiatves. Stitch and Bitch, Garment Workshops and Clothes Swap parties bring people together to create or exchange clothing. When the process of learning, sharing and making is combined with a social event it is a great way for people to feel connected to the garments involved, which also linked to the previously mentioned topic of value.
COMMUNITY= Being involved in a community initiative promotes learning and action that when undertaken as part of a group makes you feel involved, responsible and more empowered as you help others to achieve a goal.
Today I have been at the South Bank Centre, London, assisting Kate Fletcher with a research project titled 'Local Wisdom'.
"An on-going unique fashion project recording the clothes-based ingenuity of our communities"
It is great to see people so passionate about special items of clothing. Local Wisdom is a great platform for these hidden items with amazing stories and just goes to show that wonderful and special clothing can arise anywhere, for anyone at anytime.
If you have a garment that is special to you, bring it along to a local wisdom event, tell its story and be photographed wearing it.
The Local Wisdom website gives more information and lists 18 case studies of garments that people within communities have brought to their nearest Local Wisdom event. The stories of the garments are varied and give a fascinating insight as to why people feel more connected to certain garments and why these have more value than others.
At a Food Workshop with fellow Hackney City Farm Green Ambassadors this afternoon, three of the main points the group focused on were also strongly linked to those that continuously appear within the debates and discussions around our sustainable fashion industry. With particular focus on these issues it was interesting to see that people pioneering and promoting sustainable lifestyles in whatever industry face recurring themes.
