The mass of debris in the photo is, apparently, a tiny part of what the Wall Street Journal reports is afloat in the Pacific. Nobody really knows how big it is: “Some say it is about the size of Quebec, or 600,000 square miles — also described as twice the size of Texas. Others …
Discussion of the energy used to produce cloth.
I’m so glad you asked! From the previous post I hope I made it clear that natural fibers (whether organic or conventionally produced) have a lighter footprint than do synthetics – both in terms of emissions of greenhouse gasses and in terms of energy needed to manufacture the fibers. And natural fibers have the added …
Please be aware that our suggestions are just starting points for you to consider when looking at a fabric, because actually calculating a carbon footprint is very complex and time consuming. Peter Tydemers, who is an ecological economist at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, has warned that many of the energy calculators we see should …
We’re starting a series of blogs on the carbon footprint of textiles. Because it’s such a complex subject we’re breaking it into smaller portions, beginning with looking at the textile industry as a whole. In other words, why the fuss over textiles? Fabrics, believe it or not, have a large carbon footprint. In …
The questions is whether it’s a better choice to use inherently flame retardant fabrics such as AvoraFR rather than a natural fiber (like cotton) which has been doused with toxic FR chemicals. The answer is complicated and like most in this emerging green area, there may be no “best” answer. We think the answers may …
I just watched Downstream – and had my eyes opened about an industrial project which is considered to be the most ecologically destructive project on Earth: the Alberta tar sands. Downstream is a new documentary by Academy Award nominee Lesley Iwerks, which you too can watch at http://www.babelgum.com/downstream . But I warn you, it’s unsettling …
Ghandi said that we should be the change we want to see in the world. Some of the things I’ve read recently makes me think that that the youth of today seems to be really taking up that challenge – new research by the EnviroMedia Social Marketing indicates young Americans, an estimated audience of 76 …
OEcotextiles 