Dr. Bonnie Schmidt
President & Founder, Let’s Talk Science
The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions, and fashion-related emissions are expected to grow by more than 50 percent by 2030. The clothing industry impacts our water, soil, and a variety of ecosystems.
Learning about climate change can feel overwhelming. Focusing on clothing offers youth an engaging and empowering entry point to learn about this global problem. “Youth who understand climate science will understand the causes and effects of climate change more easily and may be more likely to take individual action to reduce their own impact and make positive change,” says Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, president and founder of Let’s Talk Science.
Climate project empowers youth to take action
Let’s Talk Science, in partnership with the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), is launching a national climate science initiative called Clothing4Climate that will help youth develop a fundamental understanding of climate science. The project encourages them to explore the environmental impacts of clothing and to take action through meaningful and sustainable clothing choices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the RSC community to connect with youth across Canada, sharing knowledge and expertise across disciplines and generations,” says RSC President Dr. Jeremy McNeil. “Together, we can build a better country and future through education and action.”
The Clothing4Climate project will also be supported by the Toronto-based education organization Fashion Takes Action, which will be providing access to industry experts and a network of youth ambassadors who are passionate about sustainable fashion.
Offered at no cost in English and French, the project takes an action-oriented approach to learning that is relevant, powerful, and engaging, teaching youth how to ask meaningful questions, use scientific approaches to gather data, and create change based on their evidence.
