DialogueON: Overconsumption

On 27th March, ODIF hosted our monthly DialogueON series, bringing together a diverse group of participants to explore sustainability within the textiles and fashion industries. While fast fashion often feels accessible and affordable, it continues to rely on systems that place significant strain on both the environment and the people producing our clothes. This session highlighted why rethinking our relationship with clothing is not only necessary, but a key part of our shared climate responsibility.

Antoinette on Durability

We were delighted to welcome our first speaker, Antoinette Garzon, whose work sits at the intersection of fashion, sustainability, human rights, and linguistics. Drawing on her experience as a tailor in Medellín, Colombia, and as a former lingerie shop owner, Antoinette offered a powerful Global South perspective on sustainability to challenge dominant narratives. She encouraged participants to reconsider what sustainability really means, emphasising that environmental concerns cannot be separated from social justice and economic realities.

Antoinette highlighted that durability is often overlooked in mainstream sustainability conversations. In many parts of South America, she explained, sustainability has historically been a matter of survival rather than innovation. Limited access to resources meant that clothing had to be made to last, often passed down through generations. This stands in contrast to fast fashion models, where durability is rarely prioritised. She also challenged assumptions around certifications, noting that while EU benchmarks and organic labels are important, they do not fully capture the realities of sustainable practices globally. She argued that makers and consumers need to “go back to basics,” prioritising natural fibres, long-lasting garments, and mindful consumption over corporate-driven narratives.

Harriet on the Sustainability Triangle

Our second speaker, Harriet Cleary, founder of Sew Me Sunshine, built on these ideas by offering insight into the complexities of fabric production and retail. As both a sewer and business owner, Harriet spoke about the environmental and social impacts embedded within the textile industry, from exponential fibre production to significant water usage and carbon emissions. She reinforced the importance of viewing sustainability through a three-part triangle of environment, people, and economy. She highlighted that all three must be balanced to create meaningful change.

https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/sustainability-society-and-you/0/steps/4618  

Harriet also unpacked some of the terminology often used in the fashion industry. She discussed certifications such as the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and compared them to stricter standards like GOTS, encouraging participants to look beyond labels and understand what they truly represent. She touched on the complexities of recycled materials, such as Econyl, noting that while they offer innovative solutions, they can also involve intensive chemical processes and raise questions about durability and long-term impact. Similarly, she explored fabrics like Tencel and Ecovero, which aim to offer more sustainable alternatives, and stressed the importance of transparency through improved labelling and emerging concepts like textile passports. A particularly engaging part of Harriet’s discussion focused on “deadstock” materials. She encouraged participants to think critically about what qualifies as genuine deadstock versus overproduction, while also recognising the value of repurposing existing materials. While textiles may never be 100% sustainable, small, informed changes in how we source, make, and use clothing can have a significant impact.

The Dialogue

The discussion that followed was rich and thought-provoking. Participants reflected on what sustainability means in their own contexts, raising questions about buying less, mending clothes, and the balance between durability and biodegradability. Both speakers emphasised the importance of extending the life of garments, whether through repair, reuse, or passing items on.

There were also important contributions from participants across different regions, highlighting challenges such as access to sustainable materials, the role of local sourcing, and the need for stronger political will and education. Conversations touched on affordability and the potential of concepts like “re-wear” to make sustainability more accessible. Others raised questions about how profits from textile industries can better benefit local communities, underlining the importance of equity and knowledge-sharing.

The session concluded with a powerful reminder from both speakers. Antoinette urged us to look to the Global South for existing knowledge and practices, encouraging a return to simplicity, durability, and confidence in local solutions. Harriet reinforced the importance of education and awareness, noting that more conscious consumption and informed decision-making are essential steps forward.

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to this dialogue. It was an inspiring and insightful event that sparked meaningful conversations across borders and perspectives. Let’s continue to challenge overconsumption, deepen our understanding, and take collective responsibility for the impact of our clothing.

~Naomi Lea

The Hidden Cost of Work - Understanding Exploitation

Worker exploitation is one of those issues that often sits just out of sight, because often the things we need and consume daily rely on it. It can feel like a distant issue, something that happens “elsewhere”. But in reality, it’s closely tied to how our modern world functions. Understanding it is a key part of engaging with social justice in a meaningful way.

Source: UNU Macau 

What is worker exploitation?

At its core, worker exploitation occurs when employers take unfair advantage of workers for profit. This can include underpaying wages, forcing excessively long hours, denying safe working conditions, or limiting basic rights like breaks, contracts, or the ability to organize. In more severe cases, it overlaps with forced labor or modern slavery. Exploitation isn’t always obvious, it can exist in legal grey areas, hidden behind subcontracting, gig work, or global supply chains that make accountability difficult. 

Why does it matter… and why should we care?

Exploitation matters because it directly contradicts the principles of fairness and dignity that social justice stands for. It affects people’s ability to live comfortably and safely, and is not just a small issue we can ignore. 

Millions of people are affected everyday, suffering to produce non-essential goods that we mindlessly consume because they’re cheap. 

When exploitation occurs, it reinforces inequality, trapping people in cycles of poverty while benefiting those already in positions of power. Even if we’re not directly affected, we are often indirectly connected as consumers. The lower price of a product can sometimes reflect a hidden human cost.

Source: https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/slavery-in-global-supply-chains/

What areas of our lives does it impact?

The reach of worker exploitation is broader than many people realize. It can affect:

• Clothing and fashion: Fast fashion industries are frequently linked to underpaid labor and unsafe factories.

• Food production: Agricultural workers, especially migrants, are often vulnerable to poor conditions and low wages.

• Technology: The production of electronics can involve exploitative mining and assembly practices.

• Services and gig work: Delivery drivers, cleaners, and warehouse workers may face unstable pay and lack of protections.

In short, many everyday items and services, from the clothes we wear to the apps we use, can be connected to exploitative labor practices.

What can people do, and how can you recognize it?

While no one can completely avoid all exploitative systems, there are practical ways to reduce support for them:

• Stay informed: Look into how companies treat their workers. Transparency reports, ethical ratings, and independent watchdog organizations can be helpful.

• Support ethical brands: Some companies actively prioritize fair wages and safe conditions, even if their products cost a bit more.

• Be cautious of “too cheap”: Extremely low prices can sometimes signal cost-cutting at the expense of workers.

• Advocate and speak up: Supporting policies, unions, and campaigns that push for fair labor standards can create wider change.

• Look for certifications: Labels like Fair Trade or similar schemes can indicate better labor practices, though they’re not perfect.

Recognizing exploitation often involves noticing patterns: lack of transparency, consistently low prices, reports of worker abuse, or reliance on complex supply chains that are hard to trace.

~Olivia Carling

DialogueON: Climate Science and Policy - “We Are All Connected”

The Science Behind the Interconnection of the Earth

In our February DialogueON event, we explored different concepts of climate science, discussed how the interconnections between the different elements of the Earth affect our lives as humans, and how our awareness of science can turn into practical actions and policy.

Our speaker, Dr. Angela Chia-Chun Liang, walked us through some core climate science concepts as proof for the interconnectivity of all of us on Earth. First, Angela explained the Earth’s interconnected spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere) and the importance of these spheres in our daily lives and how they shape our climate, ecosystem, ocean, and lands. Atmosphere refers to layers of gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen) that regulate temperature and protect us from direct solar energy. Hydrosphere includes all water on Earth (liquid, ice, vapor) and is essential for life and climate regulation. Geosphere refers to the solid Earth from soil to interior and it drives plate tectonics, volcanism, and the rock cycle. Biosphere includes all living organisms and ecosystems they live in.

Angela pointed out that our Earth is a mostly closed system, meaning that mostly no physical materials exchange between the Earth and outer space, but there is active energy exchange between our planet and outer space. What it essentially means is that our planet recycles and reuses everything - water, air, nutrients, and more. For example, the particles of the water in your cup could come from a place where you have never been before, like deep ocean or river in another country, and the particles might have started their journey to your cup a thousand years ago. This is why we are all interconnected.

Another concept Angela introduced was the Earth’s energy budget. She explained how the energy flows on Earth, starting from the sun, and then moving onto the greenhouse effect, and finally showing how to mathematically tie the global temperature to changes in Earth’s energy and greenhouse gases. National borders and who you are do not matter in terms of energy flow and budget. Angela left us with a powerful takeaway message: understanding what's going on with the Earth is exactly what gives us the power to make changes. In the event, we explored some ways to make these changes: science communication, science advocacy, science policy, and science diplomacy.

Our Participants’ Contributions

During the open discussion part, all our attendees engaged in an inspiring conversation around real-world examples of the Earth’s interconnectedness and changes in the interactions between the different spheres of our ecosystems that they observe in their communities. They pointed out that environmental changes can influence changes in other societal aspects of our lives, such as gender, education, or the local economy. 

For example, one participant from Ghana shared: “I see our lives interconnected through climate, food, and water. For instance, when rivers dry up (environment), women and children spend more time fetching water (social), which affects education and work (economy). Over time, these pressures have grown.” Another example of the interconnections came from Rwanda: “Rwanda is a mountainous country, so during heavy rains, water can cause soil erosion and landslides. This damages crops, homes, and infrastructure. But when terraces are built on hillsides and trees are planted, the soil is protected and water flows more safely without causing destruction.”  

We also focused on ways in which we can help our planet using the power of science and understanding facts. Participants told us about the different projects and initiatives they implement in their communities to restore and protect the natural balance in our ecosystem. Many mentioned the importance of science advocacy, education based on facts, involving young people and local communities in the conversation, and promoting scientific approaches in policy-making. The need for continuing open dialogues on these issues. was also emphasized. Together, we concluded that understanding the different spheres of the Earth, the connections between its different elements, and the role of us as humans in this system can make climate conversations practical and actionable for communities and help our dialogues deliver even better results.

~Angela, Naomi & Zuzanna