Climate Change is Real and these T’s know it

Happy Earth Day!

*This post has been sponsored by ThredUp. However, climate change is 100% real and that is a fact backed sponsored by SCIENCE. So put that in your composter and plant it.*

A mural in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that I stumbled across this week in NYC

Just this last weekend, people from across the country (and world) converged on the National Mall in DC to protest government ignorance of ecological and climate issues.

The Effects of Fast Fashion

You may think…hey I’m doing fine! I recycle and don’t litter! But, unfortunately, us fashion lovers are part of the issue in a big way. Fast fashion, or fashion that is produced cheaply and widely availably, one of the most polluting industries in the world, second only to petroleum (aka gas).

This year, I’ve made a commitment to be especially mindful of my waste consumption. Sometimes I succeed (hello, beeswax wraps!) and sometimes I fail miserably (carrying around a coffee mug everywhere is super heavy!). Still, as with everything in this world doing SOMETHING is better than doing nothing. For me, making small changes everyday helps me. Once I’ve mastered one change, I move on to the next. Every time that I fill up my water bottle, one less plastic one is in our ocean. Every time I choose to buy secondhand, it means that one less piece of clothing ends up in a landfill ( of the estimated nearly 2,500,000,000 pounds of used clothing that did last year!!!)

While I started thrifting because I was on a very tight budget as a teen, it’s gained popularity among people who would rather use the materials we already have created in this world, than buying new products constantly. Now, I always check ThredUp and Poshmark for items for my Spring and Fall yearly wardrobe updates as a first resource.

Can Sustainable Fashion Be Cool?

ThredUp, one of my fave spots or getting thrifty deals, is collaborating with some of my favorite Instagram accounts to create some super cute T’s (buy them here)! Not only are these T-shirts cute AF but they’re actually printed on secondhand T-shirts…so you know…actually sustainable! I’m definitely eyeing the Julie Houts (@jooleeloren on Insta) one, because I’m a huge fashion illustration geek. Of course, if fashion illustration is not your thing (I see you meme queens, and Mari Andrew Fans) check out the full collection.

These are available RIGHT NOW and as with everything on ThredUp sells out super fast!

100% of net proceeds from the shirts go towards the environmental non-profit Cool Effect, which provides consistent funding to carbon reduction projects across the globe, preventing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

In addition to the net proceeds of each T-shirt sold, thredUP will also donate $1 to Cool Effect for every public Instagram post of artwork from Project re:made using #projectremade and @thredUP up to a maximum donation of $10,000, until May 11, 2018. See more here.

While you may not be ready to compost at your house, or get rid of your car, choosing to live sustainably is a journey that anyone can start on. How are you making changes this year to be more sustainable and cut down on waste?

Here are a few great ways to start being more sustainable IRL:

Follow an eco blogger or two! They have great ideas and they ACTUALLY try things themselves. You can also check out this blog post, with some of the things I’ve tried this year.
When you go shopping, consider buying a similar product second hand. Sites like ThredUp, Poshmark, and even your local Facebook garage sale are great resources! If you’re looking for a super cheap option, host a clothing swap with your friends! Food+Friends+Mimosas+Clothes = a great Saturday afternoon.
Be mindful. Just the process of actually realizing how much waste you’re creating will help with the journey. Is your downfall plastic straws? Bring a re-useable one with you? Always forget to bring a bag to the grocery store, buy a super small packable one! You got this, girl!