twelve years ago I stood on this very stage at this very school graduating
stage at this very school graduating
stage at this very school graduating Here I am 12 years later giving a TED
Here I am 12 years later giving a TED
Here I am 12 years later giving a TED talk I remember on that day we had to
talk I remember on that day we had to
talk I remember on that day we had to you see the picture I’m holding in my
you see the picture I’m holding in my
you see the picture I’m holding in my hand and everyone else we had to
hand and everyone else we had to
hand and everyone else we had to actually draw a picture of what we
actually draw a picture of what we
actually draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up I remember
wanted to be when we grew up I remember
wanted to be when we grew up I remember I thought this was a bit abrupt I mean I
I thought this was a bit abrupt I mean I
I thought this was a bit abrupt I mean I was only five like so I thought okay
was only five like so I thought okay
was only five like so I thought okay maybe I want to be a vet I mean I always
maybe I want to be a vet I mean I always
maybe I want to be a vet I mean I always knew I always knew I liked I liked
knew I always knew I liked I liked
knew I always knew I liked I liked helping animals and the environment and
helping animals and the environment and
helping animals and the environment and everyone inside of it so why not
everyone inside of it so why not
everyone inside of it so why not as the years went by I realized I didn’t
as the years went by I realized I didn’t
as the years went by I realized I didn’t really feel like being of it I didn’t
really feel like being of it I didn’t
really feel like being of it I didn’t really want to cut animals or help them
really want to cut animals or help them
really want to cut animals or help them out that much I was more interested in
out that much I was more interested in
out that much I was more interested in fashion and for the next couple years
fashion and for the next couple years
fashion and for the next couple years shopping was my exercise and that’s what
shopping was my exercise and that’s what
shopping was my exercise and that’s what I love to do it wasn’t until my junior
I love to do it wasn’t until my junior
I love to do it wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I had I was
year of high school that I had I was
year of high school that I had I was faced with a four thousand word essay
faced with a four thousand word essay
faced with a four thousand word essay the extent that I say a requirement for
the extent that I say a requirement for
the extent that I say a requirement for the IB Diploma I know a nightmare right
the IB Diploma I know a nightmare right
the IB Diploma I know a nightmare right it was actually it was very very hard to
it was actually it was very very hard to
it was actually it was very very hard to find a topic that I liked I mean how was
find a topic that I liked I mean how was
find a topic that I liked I mean how was I supposed to write 4,000 words about
I supposed to write 4,000 words about
I supposed to write 4,000 words about something that I wasn’t passionate about
something that I wasn’t passionate about
something that I wasn’t passionate about well after doing a lot of a lot of
well after doing a lot of a lot of
well after doing a lot of a lot of research I found out why don’t I write
research I found out why don’t I write
research I found out why don’t I write about fashion right I don’t I write
about fashion right I don’t I write
about fashion right I don’t I write about something that I’m actually
about something that I’m actually
about something that I’m actually interested in I mean my mentor told me
interested in I mean my mentor told me
interested in I mean my mentor told me to do so so I might as well write but
to do so so I might as well write but
to do so so I might as well write but for some reason I thought how am I
for some reason I thought how am I
for some reason I thought how am I supposed to write about fashion that’s
supposed to write about fashion that’s
supposed to write about fashion that’s not something you teach in school that’s
not something you teach in school that’s
not something you teach in school that’s not something you’re allowed to write
not something you’re allowed to write
not something you’re allowed to write about I don’t know it felt weird and
about I don’t know it felt weird and
about I don’t know it felt weird and then I came to find out that there’s a
then I came to find out that there’s a
then I came to find out that there’s a lot more to the industry that I didn’t
lot more to the industry that I didn’t
lot more to the industry that I didn’t really know about I mean I had to come
really know about I mean I had to come
really know about I mean I had to come up with a research question and I
up with a research question and I
up with a research question and I thought well okay let’s try to find some
thought well okay let’s try to find some
thought well okay let’s try to find some statistics that’s like smart people
statistics that’s like smart people
statistics that’s like smart people stuff you know so let’s try to find
stuff you know so let’s try to find
stuff you know so let’s try to find something out about that
something out about that
something out about that I actually came to find out that the
I actually came to find out that the
I actually came to find out that the industry the the clothing industry
industry the the clothing industry
industry the the clothing industry specifically was the second largest
specifically was the second largest
specifically was the second largest polluter in the world of clean water
polluter in the world of clean water
polluter in the world of clean water coming second only to the oil industry
coming second only to the oil industry
coming second only to the oil industry and I thought what that can’t be right
and I thought what that can’t be right
and I thought what that can’t be right like one of my pants have to do with
like one of my pants have to do with
like one of my pants have to do with water and like that didn’t make sense in
water and like that didn’t make sense in
water and like that didn’t make sense in my head well it does and let me tell you
my head well it does and let me tell you
my head well it does and let me tell you it does a lot so there I was 16 having
it does a lot so there I was 16 having
it does a lot so there I was 16 having to write a four thousand word essay
to write a four thousand word essay
to write a four thousand word essay still not knowing what I wanted to do
still not knowing what I wanted to do
still not knowing what I wanted to do for college well what if I can choose
for college well what if I can choose
for college well what if I can choose that choose this as my career okay great
that choose this as my career okay great
that choose this as my career okay great so now not only do I want to change the
so now not only do I want to change the
so now not only do I want to change the fashion industry but I also want to
fashion industry but I also want to
fashion industry but I also want to change the world
change the world
change the world great I know pretty ambitious for a 16
great I know pretty ambitious for a 16
great I know pretty ambitious for a 16 year old in high school but Steve Jobs
year old in high school but Steve Jobs
year old in high school but Steve Jobs once said that the ones who are crazy
once said that the ones who are crazy
once said that the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the
enough to think that they can change the
enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do so call me
world are the ones who do so call me
world are the ones who do so call me crazy okay so now back to the clothing
crazy okay so now back to the clothing
crazy okay so now back to the clothing industry what does it have to do with
industry what does it have to do with
industry what does it have to do with the environment well let’s talk about
the environment well let’s talk about
the environment well let’s talk about pants we’re all wearing them today I
pants we’re all wearing them today I
pants we’re all wearing them today I hope so let’s go through the average
hope so let’s go through the average
hope so let’s go through the average life cycle of what so first you know the
life cycle of what so first you know the
life cycle of what so first you know the cotton is planted and treated then
cotton is planted and treated then
cotton is planted and treated then eventually that cotton goes into
eventually that cotton goes into
eventually that cotton goes into production of the textiles it’s made
production of the textiles it’s made
production of the textiles it’s made into denim then the denim is made into
into denim then the denim is made into
into denim then the denim is made into pants and then the pants are shipped and
pants and then the pants are shipped and
pants and then the pants are shipped and distributed we the consumers buy them
distributed we the consumers buy them
distributed we the consumers buy them and what should happen is from Step five
and what should happen is from Step five
and what should happen is from Step five it should go to step 6
it should go to step 6
it should go to step 6 and back to step 2 which means the pants
and back to step 2 which means the pants
and back to step 2 which means the pants should be recycled or at least the
should be recycled or at least the
should be recycled or at least the materials should be recycled and the
materials should be recycled and the
materials should be recycled and the fabric should be refurbished and
fabric should be refurbished and
fabric should be refurbished and repurposed now what usually happens is
repurposed now what usually happens is
repurposed now what usually happens is from Step five we just jump to step
from Step five we just jump to step
from Step five we just jump to step seven which would equal the end of the
seven which would equal the end of the
seven which would equal the end of the life of the pants seems pretty wasteful
life of the pants seems pretty wasteful
life of the pants seems pretty wasteful right I know well did you know that it
right I know well did you know that it
right I know well did you know that it takes thirty three kilos I’m sorry it
takes thirty three kilos I’m sorry it
takes thirty three kilos I’m sorry it the making of denim jeans actually emit
the making of denim jeans actually emit
the making of denim jeans actually emit thirty three kilos of carbon dioxide
thirty three kilos of carbon dioxide
thirty three kilos of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that’s equivalent
into the atmosphere that’s equivalent
into the atmosphere that’s equivalent that’s equivalent to a
that’s equivalent to a
that’s equivalent to a to an average vehicle in the United
to an average vehicle in the United
to an average vehicle in the United States driving for 125 kilometers also
States driving for 125 kilometers also
States driving for 125 kilometers also that is equivalent also making a pair of
that is equivalent also making a pair of
that is equivalent also making a pair of jeans also uses over almost 4000 litres
jeans also uses over almost 4000 litres
jeans also uses over almost 4000 litres of water that’s equivalent to 5050 three
of water that’s equivalent to 5050 three
of water that’s equivalent to 5050 three seven minute showers or for flushing the
seven minute showers or for flushing the
seven minute showers or for flushing the toilet five hundred and seventy five
toilet five hundred and seventy five
toilet five hundred and seventy five times that is also equal to more than
times that is also equal to more than
times that is also equal to more than four hundred mega joules of energy which
four hundred mega joules of energy which
four hundred mega joules of energy which is enough to power a computer for five
is enough to power a computer for five
is enough to power a computer for five hundred and fifty six hours that’s
hundred and fifty six hours that’s
hundred and fifty six hours that’s seventy days worth of work not only that
seventy days worth of work not only that
seventy days worth of work not only that but it takes one kilo of cotton to make
but it takes one kilo of cotton to make
but it takes one kilo of cotton to make pimp and from that and and for that
pimp and from that and and for that
pimp and from that and and for that twenty thousand poops
twenty thousand poops
twenty thousand poops twenty thousand liters of water is
twenty thousand liters of water is
twenty thousand liters of water is required that’s enough for one month
required that’s enough for one month
required that’s enough for one month worth of entire household chores now
worth of entire household chores now
worth of entire household chores now think about that for a second and think
think about that for a second and think
think about that for a second and think about the fact that four hundred and
about the fact that four hundred and
about the fact that four hundred and fifty billion pairs of jeans are sold in
fifty billion pairs of jeans are sold in
fifty billion pairs of jeans are sold in the u.s. annually you do the math so
the u.s. annually you do the math so
the u.s. annually you do the math so back when fashion first started there
back when fashion first started there
back when fashion first started there used to be two seasons right I’m sure
used to be two seasons right I’m sure
used to be two seasons right I’m sure we’re all aware there’s fall in winter
we’re all aware there’s fall in winter
we’re all aware there’s fall in winter and then spring and summer which meshed
and then spring and summer which meshed
and then spring and summer which meshed together to make two seasons now with
together to make two seasons now with
together to make two seasons now with the industry growing at such a fast rate
the industry growing at such a fast rate
the industry growing at such a fast rate there are 52 seasons and for those of
there are 52 seasons and for those of
there are 52 seasons and for those of you who weren’t very good at math like
you who weren’t very good at math like
you who weren’t very good at math like myself that’s one for every week of the
myself that’s one for every week of the
myself that’s one for every week of the year
year
year sounds pretty wasteful right well
sounds pretty wasteful right well
sounds pretty wasteful right well there’s a name for this it’s called fast
there’s a name for this it’s called fast
there’s a name for this it’s called fast fashion and much like fast food there
fashion and much like fast food there
fashion and much like fast food there are products which are low in quality
are products which are low in quality
are products which are low in quality low in price but big in quantity now
low in price but big in quantity now
low in price but big in quantity now what does this mean for those who
what does this mean for those who
what does this mean for those who actually make the clothes do we ever ask
actually make the clothes do we ever ask
actually make the clothes do we ever ask ourselves that no we’re just concerned
ourselves that no we’re just concerned
ourselves that no we’re just concerned with the new pair of jeans that we
with the new pair of jeans that we
with the new pair of jeans that we bought so how can we change this how can
bought so how can we change this how can
bought so how can we change this how can we train change being so wasteful we can
we train change being so wasteful we can
we train change being so wasteful we can be sustainable well what a
be sustainable well what a
be sustainable well what a sustainability mean according to the
sustainability mean according to the
sustainability mean according to the United States Environmental Protection
United States Environmental Protection
United States Environmental Protection Agency it means to create and maintain
Agency it means to create and maintain
Agency it means to create and maintain the conditions under
the conditions under
the conditions under humans and nature can exists and
humans and nature can exists and
humans and nature can exists and productive harmony to support present
productive harmony to support present
productive harmony to support present and future generations okay but what
and future generations okay but what
and future generations okay but what does that mean in fashion well in
does that mean in fashion well in
does that mean in fashion well in fashion it means – it means the exact
fashion it means – it means the exact
fashion it means – it means the exact opposite of fast fashion to be
opposite of fast fashion to be
opposite of fast fashion to be sustainable means to produce garments
sustainable means to produce garments
sustainable means to produce garments that are in that are high in quality
that are in that are high in quality
that are in that are high in quality fair prices but in low quantities so
fair prices but in low quantities so
fair prices but in low quantities so slow fashion if you want to call it that
slow fashion if you want to call it that
slow fashion if you want to call it that because cheap what may be cheap for us
because cheap what may be cheap for us
because cheap what may be cheap for us will surely have a cost for those who
will surely have a cost for those who
will surely have a cost for those who are making it and for the environment so
are making it and for the environment so
are making it and for the environment so back to what I was saying about the
back to what I was saying about the
back to what I was saying about the about the ones who make her clothes we
about the ones who make her clothes we
about the ones who make her clothes we don’t think about that we see a shirt
don’t think about that we see a shirt
don’t think about that we see a shirt and we think it’s pretty and we buy it
and we think it’s pretty and we buy it
and we think it’s pretty and we buy it we don’t think about those who are
we don’t think about those who are
we don’t think about those who are actually making the shirt doing so those
actually making the shirt doing so those
actually making the shirt doing so those factory workers I mentioned earlier are
factory workers I mentioned earlier are
factory workers I mentioned earlier are not in fact factory workers at all
not in fact factory workers at all
not in fact factory workers at all they’re sweatshop workers and that means
they’re sweatshop workers and that means
they’re sweatshop workers and that means by the United States Department of Labor
by the United States Department of Labor
by the United States Department of Labor that’s a factory that violates two or
that’s a factory that violates two or
that’s a factory that violates two or more labor laws think about it their
more labor laws think about it their
more labor laws think about it their laws for labor those who work and if a
laws for labor those who work and if a
laws for labor those who work and if a factory violates that you can imagine
factory violates that you can imagine
factory violates that you can imagine the conditions that they’re in very poor
the conditions that they’re in very poor
the conditions that they’re in very poor conditions when I tell you and the
conditions when I tell you and the
conditions when I tell you and the workers who make the clothes are not
workers who make the clothes are not
workers who make the clothes are not paid what is considered the bare minimum
paid what is considered the bare minimum
paid what is considered the bare minimum they’re sometimes asked to work for five
they’re sometimes asked to work for five
they’re sometimes asked to work for five six hours over what they’re supposed to
six hours over what they’re supposed to
six hours over what they’re supposed to and do they get paid for that no because
and do they get paid for that no because
and do they get paid for that no because because the industry is so concerned
because the industry is so concerned
because the industry is so concerned with making clothes that are so
with making clothes that are so
with making clothes that are so unbelievably cheap for us the consumers
unbelievably cheap for us the consumers
unbelievably cheap for us the consumers to want to buy them instead of being
to want to buy them instead of being
to want to buy them instead of being concerned with making making clothes
concerned with making making clothes
concerned with making making clothes that are so unbelievably great in
that are so unbelievably great in
that are so unbelievably great in quality for example for us to want to
quality for example for us to want to
quality for example for us to want to buy them so like I said not good many
buy them so like I said not good many
buy them so like I said not good many tragedies actually can come from this in
tragedies actually can come from this in
tragedies actually can come from this in fact in 30 2013 in Bangladesh there was
fact in 30 2013 in Bangladesh there was
fact in 30 2013 in Bangladesh there was a collapse of a building called Rena
a collapse of a building called Rena
a collapse of a building called Rena Plaza where a lot of fast fashion brands
Plaza where a lot of fast fashion brands
Plaza where a lot of fast fashion brands made their clothes and over 1000 and 100
made their clothes and over 1000 and 100
made their clothes and over 1000 and 100 lives were lost
lives were lost
lives were lost we don’t think about that when we’re
we don’t think about that when we’re
we don’t think about that when we’re buying our pants do we know so when will
buying our pants do we know so when will
buying our pants do we know so when will this stop
this stop
this stop when will the injury industries stop
when will the injury industries stop
when will the injury industries stop thinking about the price of the clothes
thinking about the price of the clothes
thinking about the price of the clothes rather than the price of a life like I
rather than the price of a life like I
rather than the price of a life like I said the statistic that actually brought
said the statistic that actually brought
said the statistic that actually brought me to doing so much research about this
me to doing so much research about this
me to doing so much research about this topic is that the industry the clothing
topic is that the industry the clothing
topic is that the industry the clothing industry is the second largest polluter
industry is the second largest polluter
industry is the second largest polluter of clean water in the world and not only
of clean water in the world and not only
of clean water in the world and not only that but treating and dyeing textiles
that but treating and dyeing textiles
that but treating and dyeing textiles actually takes up 20 20 % of industrial
actually takes up 20 20 % of industrial
actually takes up 20 20 % of industrial water pollution and of that 25 percent
water pollution and of that 25 percent
water pollution and of that 25 percent of all chemicals applied worldwide or
of all chemicals applied worldwide or
of all chemicals applied worldwide or applied to cotton and of that cotton 90%
applied to cotton and of that cotton 90%
applied to cotton and of that cotton 90% is genetically modified so with this
is genetically modified so with this
is genetically modified so with this you’ve heard me talk all about how the
you’ve heard me talk all about how the
you’ve heard me talk all about how the industry is big and bad and how you know
industry is big and bad and how you know
industry is big and bad and how you know we should probably not buy into this and
we should probably not buy into this and
we should probably not buy into this and everything like that but you’re probably
everything like that but you’re probably
everything like that but you’re probably thinking great that’s that’s fine but I
thinking great that’s that’s fine but I
thinking great that’s that’s fine but I can’t do anything to help that I’m only
can’t do anything to help that I’m only
can’t do anything to help that I’m only one person and even if I could it’s
one person and even if I could it’s
one person and even if I could it’s probably expensive or ugly or something
probably expensive or ugly or something
probably expensive or ugly or something like that but no actually there are
like that but no actually there are
like that but no actually there are pretty easy ways to help and let me tell
pretty easy ways to help and let me tell
pretty easy ways to help and let me tell you I’ve been doing them recently and
you I’ve been doing them recently and
you I’ve been doing them recently and they’re not that hard so first when
they’re not that hard so first when
they’re not that hard so first when buying something ask yourself who made
buying something ask yourself who made
buying something ask yourself who made my clothes do you know where they’re
my clothes do you know where they’re
my clothes do you know where they’re made you know the country that they’re
made you know the country that they’re
made you know the country that they’re made in perhaps if you look at the tag
made in perhaps if you look at the tag
made in perhaps if you look at the tag but do you know who asked the manager
but do you know who asked the manager
but do you know who asked the manager and if they don’t know don’t buy it
and if they don’t know don’t buy it
and if they don’t know don’t buy it transparency is cheap when thinking
transparency is cheap when thinking
transparency is cheap when thinking about sustainability you need to know
about sustainability you need to know
about sustainability you need to know where your garments are being made and
where your garments are being made and
where your garments are being made and if the manager of the store doesn’t know
if the manager of the store doesn’t know
if the manager of the store doesn’t know chances are they’re being made in a
chances are they’re being made in a
chances are they’re being made in a sweatshop so now what I like to call the
sweatshop so now what I like to call the
sweatshop so now what I like to call the five R’s the easiest and simplest ways
five R’s the easiest and simplest ways
five R’s the easiest and simplest ways to go sustainable firstly reduce simple
to go sustainable firstly reduce simple
to go sustainable firstly reduce simple just reduce the amount of clothes your
just reduce the amount of clothes your
just reduce the amount of clothes your bike I love shopping just as much as the
bike I love shopping just as much as the
bike I love shopping just as much as the next girl but um
next girl but um
next girl but um and I know we can get pretty lost in
and I know we can get pretty lost in
and I know we can get pretty lost in clothes and shoes and shirts and bags
clothes and shoes and shirts and bags
clothes and shoes and shirts and bags and dance and things but just think okay
and dance and things but just think okay
and dance and things but just think okay if if what I’m about to buy will match
if if what I’m about to buy will match
if if what I’m about to buy will match with more than three things in my closet
with more than three things in my closet
with more than three things in my closet okay
okay
okay I’ll allow myself to buy it if it’s
I’ll allow myself to buy it if it’s
I’ll allow myself to buy it if it’s sustainable and if you’ve asked the
sustainable and if you’ve asked the
sustainable and if you’ve asked the previous question so that’s the first
previous question so that’s the first
previous question so that’s the first thing just reducing the size of your
thing just reducing the size of your
thing just reducing the size of your closet go through your closet very
closet go through your closet very
closet go through your closet very rarely we only were very concerned with
rarely we only were very concerned with
rarely we only were very concerned with adding more things to our closet but
adding more things to our closet but
adding more things to our closet but we’re not at all concerned with what’s
we’re not at all concerned with what’s
we’re not at all concerned with what’s in our closet so go through your closet
in our closet so go through your closet
in our closet so go through your closet first of all second repair if your
first of all second repair if your
first of all second repair if your zippers broken don’t just buy another
zippers broken don’t just buy another
zippers broken don’t just buy another dress don’t just buy their pants just
dress don’t just buy their pants just
dress don’t just buy their pants just fix it
fix it
fix it sec third reinvent DIY your clothes get
sec third reinvent DIY your clothes get
sec third reinvent DIY your clothes get creative maybe you don’t like the dress
creative maybe you don’t like the dress
creative maybe you don’t like the dress that you bought two years ago you can
that you bought two years ago you can
that you bought two years ago you can make it into a shirt you can make it
make it into a shirt you can make it
make it into a shirt you can make it into a skirt start cutting see what you
into a skirt start cutting see what you
into a skirt start cutting see what you get
get
get number four repurpose swap with your
number four repurpose swap with your
number four repurpose swap with your friends it’s really fun actually
friends it’s really fun actually
friends it’s really fun actually something that you think is so beautiful
something that you think is so beautiful
something that you think is so beautiful and fresh and new and your friend’s
and fresh and new and your friend’s
and fresh and new and your friend’s closet could be sitting there for years
closet could be sitting there for years
closet could be sitting there for years they’d be glad to give it away just give
they’d be glad to give it away just give
they’d be glad to give it away just give it a try and number five recycle go
it a try and number five recycle go
it a try and number five recycle go thrifting go to a thrift store you have
thrifting go to a thrift store you have
thrifting go to a thrift store you have no idea how great it is to wear
no idea how great it is to wear
no idea how great it is to wear something and be complimented on it and
something and be complimented on it and
something and be complimented on it and think okay I spent four dollars on this
think okay I spent four dollars on this
think okay I spent four dollars on this but they don’t have to know that it’s a
but they don’t have to know that it’s a
but they don’t have to know that it’s a great feeling really so like I said
great feeling really so like I said
great feeling really so like I said before yes you’re right you are one
before yes you’re right you are one
before yes you’re right you are one person and maybe what you do right now
person and maybe what you do right now
person and maybe what you do right now doesn’t directly impact the industry but
doesn’t directly impact the industry but
doesn’t directly impact the industry but you still are one person within the
you still are one person within the
you still are one person within the environment you could very well be one
environment you could very well be one
environment you could very well be one person up here giving a TED talk and you
person up here giving a TED talk and you
person up here giving a TED talk and you don’t know how many people you’re gonna
don’t know how many people you’re gonna
don’t know how many people you’re gonna impact doing that so what you choose to
impact doing that so what you choose to
impact doing that so what you choose to do every single time you buy wash or
do every single time you buy wash or
do every single time you buy wash or discard your clothes
discard your clothes
discard your clothes ten and we’ll help save our environment
ten and we’ll help save our environment
ten and we’ll help save our environment our planet and change the world
”
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