sustainable economy

how-can-we-achieve-a-sustainable-economy-ecopurple

How Can We Achieve A Sustainable Economy for A Better Tomorrow?

What is a Sustainable Economy? Why Do We Need it?

Take a look at this definition by the WWF,

“A sustainable economy is resilient and provides a good quality of life for everybody. It stays within the limits of the planet and helps keep global warming within the well below 2°C thresholds.”

Those in bold are the keywords we must take into consideration when discussing sustainability. But the questions to ask here are, are we chasing that quality of life? And, do our demands lie within the limits of our planet? 

Considering the current state of our planet, the answers to the above questions can be disappointing. Since industrialization, we have followed the suit of what’s called the “Brown economy.” To put it simply – Linear economy.

Sustainable-economy-circular-economy-vs-linear-economy-green-economy-ecopurple

For too long, we have been living in a world where our GDP is mostly driven by an economy heavy on our planet. In the race to identify ourselves as “developed, ” we have unsustainably exploited our resources. And so, it is not surprising that we are well on our way to the 6th mass extinction. Eco-anxiety surely kicks in here. And after much contemplation, it’s hard not to wonder, “what can be done differently?”

While making our lifestyle eco-friendly is indispensable today, our world needs more than individual actions. And thus, striving for a Sustainable Economy can be the solution here. For this, the “business-as-usual” or the Linear economy approach has to be revoked.

The sooner we replace the Brown economy with the ‘Green’ and ‘Blue’ ones, the sooner we will achieve a sustainable future. Let’s learn what these two sustainable economies are. 

A glossary to keep it simple:

1. The Green Economy

Coined in 1989, this model is the exact opposite of the brown economy. Here, economic, social, and environmental development is in harmony with one another.

“In a green economy, growth in employment and income is driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.”

In this approach, there is sustainable consumption and production. There is circularity. In place of fossils, it is the renewables that drive energy. Society is inclusive, fair, and no one is left behind. Solutions are based on science. It is a state where our natural resources not only survive but also thrive and provide.

There are 5 principles put forth by a synergy of noble organizations to achieve this. They are as follows:

The Well-being Principle

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Prioritizing human well-being, health, and development will be significant in a sustainable economy. This will require us to think beyond the monetary gains. It’ll be about ensuring health, happiness, education, and progress are shared on a communal level. 

The Justice Principle

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A green economy must build a resilient society that celebrates inclusivity, equity, equality, social justice, and human rights. Here, the issues of citizens, especially those marginalized/ minoritized, are not only heard but also resolved in a fair and just manner. It strengthens the rights of workers, indigenous people, meanwhile strengthening the right to sustainable development. No one is left behind. 

The Planetary Boundaries Principle

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The functional, cultural, and ecological values of our natural world are recognized and nurtured. A green economy encourages development while safeguarding the biodiversity of the planet. Sustainability efforts are made by innovations and investments in the restoration of our natural systems. 

The Efficiency and Sufficiency Principle

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A sustainable green economy promotes SCP so that global demands are well within planetary boundaries. Goods and services are low on carbon and based on circularity. It provides for the basic upkeeping of human well-being and also addresses overconsumption trends.

It aligns prices, subsidies, and incentives with true costs to society, through mechanisms where the ‘polluter pays’ and/or where benefits accrue to those who deliver inclusive green outcomes.”

The Good Governance Principle

the-good-governance-principle-green-economy-sustainable-economySustainable Development seeks a resilient, transparent, integrated, and accountable governing institution. Good governance calls for leadership that acknowledges public participation and consent. Decision-making serves societal interests and shared communal well-being. It builds an inclusive and diverse economy that is science-based and ecologically sound.

These interconnected principles provide a holistic vision for going about the green economy that ensures the prosperity of both lives on land and in the water.

2. The Blue Economy - an Extension of the Green Economy

Set in motion by but not limited to the SIDS, it is the economy powered by our oceans. The sustainable and ethical management of our oceanic resources underpins the Blue economy. It goes way beyond the perception of assuming the oceans as a free resource where there’s no reimbursement on exploitation. It is about acknowledging and not undervaluing the economic contribution of the oceans to humankind.

Source: The Blue Economy Concept Paper
The Blue economy includes the mindful procurement of seafood, safe marine transportation, coastal and off-shore tourism, biotechnology, sustainable extraction of oils and minerals, bio-prospecting, sustainable energy production, and overall ocean conservation. In this approach, socio-economic development does not come at the cost of our invaluable oceans. 

General Significance:

  • It is estimated that about 3 billion people are dependent on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at $3 trillion per year or about 5% of global GDP.
  • The islands and coastal communities rely largely on maritime activities for their economy. Ocean provides them with financial as well as direct and indirect food security. This is crucial to learn because about 87% of global fish stocks are now fully or overexploited! Overfishing is particularly bad in parts of the developing world, where many people already struggle to get enough nutritious food to eat.
  • In the least developed countries, almost 50% of the population depends on fisheries as their primary source of protein. Not to mention employment. This makes investing in sustainable aquaculture and marine science to predict ocean productivity critical. 
  • Tourism is another sector which unless there’s a pandemic, will only continue to grow. In less developed and small island countries, coastal and ocean-related tourism continues to be a vital part of the national economy.
  • On average, the tourism sector accounts for almost 30% of the GDP of the SIDS, according to WTTC data. This share is over 50% for the Maldives, Seychelles, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Grenada. 
  • Offering sustainable tourism/ ecotourism can promote environment conservation on land as well as in water. This helps generate employment opportunities for the locals and also in preserving their cultural heritage. 

Environmental and Ecological Significance:

  • The Blue Economy complies with the 14th SDG: Life Below Water, and rightly so. If we are to stand a chance against climate change, the oceans are our biggest ally. 
  • Oceans absorb more than 20% of annual CO2 emissions and 90% of excess heat. They are responsible for the global climate and weather patterns. For the air we breathe and much of the food the world feasts.
  • Unfortunately, anthropogenic emissions, climate change, and waste debris are messing with marine biodiversity. Causing ocean acidification, stratification, reduced nutrient mixing, marine heatwaves, etc., to accelerate altogether. 
  • ‘Blue carbon’ sinks like mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and other vegetated ocean habitats sequester carbon up to 5 times as effective as tropical forests.
  • More than 25% of all marine life find their homes in the coral reefs. These corals not only look after the marine species but also the species on land. The corals and the blue carbon ecosystems act as natural barriers against coastal erosion, strong ocean currents, storms, hurricanes, and other cyclones. 
  • Another “green” significance of an ocean is its ability to provide multiple sources of renewable energy. We can harness wind, wave, tidal, ocean current, salinity, etc., into reliable sources of energy production. Of course, mindful deployment of systems is a must here to ensure less to zero environmental distress. 
  • If done right, oceans can generate about 20,000 terawatts to 80,000 terawatts of electricity; this is 100 to 400% of the current energy demand globally. 

How we manage our ocean and its resources determines our future. Reshaping the ocean economy whilst taking care of marine health is going to be significant.

What we need is stringent ocean governance within and beyond areas of national jurisdiction. Regulations on waste, emissions, resource use, IUU fishery, and other maritime activities must be in place. 

Oceans have great potential in helping us meet the SDGs. However, it is only possible if we manage to restore them to a healthy state. This could be why the UN has declared 2021-2030 as a “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.” 

Finally, coming back to the main question,

How can we achieve a Sustainable Economy?

The solution to this question may look flawless on paper but its execution is going to be difficult. While we construct resilient sustainable economies, it is necessary to ensure that the transition happens in a just manner. This means addressing the pre-existing injustices as well as the injustices that might occur with the transition.

A just transition takes care of the workers who will be laid off once conventional systems change. Local communities will see the consequences of transition firsthand. Therefore, growth should be community-oriented where their concerns are heard and acknowledged.

Intersectional knowledge, education, participation of the public – mainly the youth has great potential in influencing policy-making.

Moreover, bringing about sustainability in both socio-economic and ecological fronts will require feminism. Closing the gender gap by including women every step of the way will potentially speed up development.

A sustainable economy recognizes poverty, social injustices, environmental crises, overconsumption, etc., and works to rise above these issues. A strong collaboration of institutions that guarantees planet and people over profit will play a definitive role.

Having said that, individual participation in influencing decision-making to push for a greater change remains pivotal. Everyone has a role to play. 

Achieving a sustainable economy will be difficult. However, it is not impossible. 

sustainable-fashion-brands-in-india-ecopurple

10+ Best Sustainable Fashion Brands in India

Sustainable Fashion - A New Trend for the Future Nay, Today!

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Did you know that the level of CO2 emitted by textile industries is almost equal to that released by automobile industries? 

With changing lifestyles, and seasons, we often find ourselves within new fashion trends. We enjoy incorporating the latest trends into our style statement, because why not
 
But, what do you do when the outfits are not trendy anymore, or more naturally when you grow out of them? In Desi families, clothes usually get passed on to our younger siblings, which is a good option. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as most of the fabric waste often gets trashed. Fashion industries themselves contribute a lot to this pollution. Which is why today we are in dire need of sustainable fashion choices.

With fast fashion trends, sustainable clothing (slow fashion) is yet to gain popularity. However, we do have quite a few homegrown sustainable fashion brands in India. And to your aid, Ecopurple has curated a list of a few of the many brands crafting green fashion. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Please note that the following list is in no particular order of preference; the idea is to promote and acknowledge their work.

Adah, founded by Leesha Agarwal, a conscious earthling cum a talented fashion designer, is an ethical, zero waste, and a handloom fashion brand. It is a fashion house that truly loves their fabrics, the makers, and the colorful dyes that make it beautiful.

Adah-by-Leesha-sustainable-fashion-brand

On experiencing the aftermath of fast fashion firsthand, Leesha decided to make a difference and so, led to the foundation of Adah. Here’s everything that is good about this sustainable fashion brand:

  • The team sources each piece of fabric directly from the hardworking weavers, not allowing any middlemen to participate. This helps in ensuring that the weavers are paid what they deserves. 
  • The environmental quotient is taken care of by repurposing/ recycling/ and upcycling all kinds of fabric scraps into diaries, wallets, scrunchies, headbands, earrings, etc. The tags, too, are made using recycled tetra packs, adding to their concern for the environment. Adah also refrains from the use of plastic. 
  • The skilled tailors, who craft the elegant garments for Adah, are given their rightful credits. You will get to know who made your outfit, a wonderful way to honour the efforts of the maker and also empower them.

For both and women, Adah is one of the affordable fashion brands out there. One must check-out their outfits as they’re not only aesthetic but also sustainably made. 

This women’s fashion brand from New Delhi, found by Mahima Gujral, is on its way to help pave the way for green clothing.

Sui crafts conscious apparels and accessories, such the environmental impact is low. How?
 
  • They prefer working with durable and anti-bacterial fabrics such as hemp. Use Organic cotton that is GOTS certified, and other sustainable materials.
 
  • Sui uses herbal dyes to pigment their clothing; and recycles the wastewater in the process.
  • The team makes use of recycled packaging and upcycles the leftover fabric waste as well.
  • Following a sustainable work ethic, SUI also partners with the NGO – Women Weave. The women in this NGO contribute to the weaving of handspun home fabrics. They practice conscious activities that need less to no electricity. Thus, save energy.

The brainchild of Kriti Tula – Doodlage is a recognized eco-fashion house set in New Delhi. The brand creates fashion outfits and accessories by recycling and upcycling fabric trash. The toxic after-effects of the fashion industry led to the foundation of Doodlage.

  • Doodlage collects surplus of defective or stained fabric scraps from textile manufacturers. They even collect the leftover apparel scraps from the garment factories.
  • From the fabric waste of their own, they create wallets; laptop bags; accessories; and notebooks.
  • Ditching the plastic, they recycle the fabric waste into paper for their packagings.
Needless to say, Doodlage is doing its best to achieve zero waste production. And by all the efforts that they’re making, the team is bound to succeed.Moreover, Doodlage also presented their collection in the Lakme fashion week of 2019
 
You know they’re good when even Lakme supports them.

Vegan gang, this one’s for you! Based in Goa, No Nasties has been in the business since 2011, creating outfits for men, women, and kids. They design outfits made out of fair trade, organic, and vegan raw materials.

GOTS ✔️ 
Peta ✔️ 
Fair Trade ✔️ 
Impressive right? But wait, there’s more. To add to their green efforts, No Nasties offers plastic-free packaging. The team makes use of drawstring bags and recycled cardboard boxes instead. The effort doesn’t end here. With the “Buy One – Get Tree” program, No Nasties has been planting trees to negate their carbon emissions. You make a purchase and the team plants a tree, as simple as that! Thus, it’s safe to say that No Nasties is one cohesive sustainable fashion brand.

Renge is a sustainable fashion brand that offers beautiful clothing options for women. Found by Sheena Uppal, they create conscious apparels keeping the fashion quotient intact.

sustainable-fashion-brand-Renge

What makes Renge an ethical brand?

  • They use a surplus of fabrics from factories that follow strict social and environmental standards.
  • The artisans dye fabrics in Creative Dyeing & Printing, which is Oeko-Tex certified.
  • The team works in tune with Hemla Embroidery, which is Sedex certified.
  • Both factories are within a 3km radius, this reduces carbon emission due to logistics.
  • Also, a part of their factory runs on solar energy!

While creating sustainable fashion, Renge also extends support for other critical issues. Learn more by clicking here.

Basiclly is yet another option to make a sustainable fashion choice for women. Their mantra? ‘Comfort, Ease and Familiarity’ while practicing Fair Trade.
  • Located in Noida, Basiclly is a fellow supporter of slow fashion. The brand crafts livable clothing to make them durable and long-lasting.
  • The team makes use of 100% organic fabrics with reusing and upcycling the fabric scraps. This way, they avoid the use of synthetic materials.
  • Basiclly makes sure to have their fabric manufactures and the production factories close. Thus, minimizing the environmental impact therein.

Sparrow was born with an aim to provide sustainable clothing at affordable prices. The team believes and contributes to a circular model of fashion.

Craftsmen at Sparrow stitch outfits using breathable fabrics sourced from ethical resources. From designing sustainable clothing to plastic-free packaging, deliberate conscious efforts are being made.
 
To bridge the gap between consumers and sustainability, we strive to bring you ethical garments in affordable prices. So that your online shopping takes a conscious step towards the environment.”

This team led by Uma Prajapati works with the traditional technique of Handlooms. Upasana takes absolute pride in crafting fabrics through this concept that helps save electricity

  • As opposed to the artificial dyes, the team works with natural ones. Such as, Natural Indigo, native minerals, and herbs like Sandalwood and Tulsi.
  • To make the garments safe to the skin, Upasana infuses the same herbs with organic cotton. The medicinal properties of these herbs help provide a sense of healing to the wearer.

“Our mission is to create conscious sustainable fashion where we are taking care of our environmental cost and not passing it on to the future.”

Upasana’s work is here for you to choose a sustainable fashion alternative.

Belonging to the slow fashion tribe, B Label, powered by Boheco, takes a green route to fashion. Their star fabric? Hemp.
 
This sustainable fashion brand spuns Hemp into a variety of quality outfits. Why Hemp? Because,
  1. It is Carbon negative
  2. It repels UV rays
  3. It resists mold and mildew
  4. Is one of the strongest fabrics
  5. Hemp is Anti-bacterial
  6. It can grow with less water, etc

What more reasons do we need? B Label is one to pin our faith for a responsible fashion brand.

Nicobar, too, belongs to the slow fashion bandwagon. Their philosophy is to make products that are: long lasting, not trend-driven, inspired by natural materials, and influenced by the culture we grew up in.
The above collage is only a gist of what Nicobar has to offer.
 
Apart from their products, the most exciting one is their option for customers to Gift Trees. Nicobar has partnered with the “Grow Trees Foundation.” With this, a customer can choose to plant a tree in the name of his/her gift recipient. They plant the trees in the Sundarbans of West Bengal to protect the habitat of our Royal Bengal Tiger. 
 
Thanks to Nicobar, now I know what to gift my loved ones!

Rimagined is an ethical brand from Bengaluru producing sustainable fashion and upcycled products. They manufacture products right from sarees to furniture. Understanding the increasing garbage crisis, Shailaja Rangarajan led to the establishment of Rimagined.

  • The team works with both pre and post-consumer waste.
  • They craft their sarees from the pre-consumer cotton yarn waste. This is the leftover yarn during and after the weaving. They weave this yarn in the traditional Charkhas and then dye it with beautiful colors.
  • Rimagined also works with denim, wood, glass and rubber waste. They’re upcycled into furniture, bedsheets, decors, and other accessories.

Their aim is to divert waste from the landfills into a sustainable and valuable object of use. And they achieve this by working hand in hand with handloom weavers and tribal artisans.

CONCLUSION

  • These are a few of the many sustainable fashion brands in India who are working to maintain a circular economy.
  • Fashion waste is mainstream pollution. With a growing maturity and awareness, one has to consider ways in which he/she can limit their impact. We need to control our unnecessary contribution to the landfills.
  • Yet, if you happen to buy something that belongs to fast fashion, make sure you find a way to repurpose. One sustainable action goes a long way.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS

According to a report by the Financial Express,
 
  • It can take 2,700 litres of water to produce the cotton needed to make a single T-Shirt. As per World Resources Institute, 5.9 trillion litres of water are used each year for fabric dyeing alone.
  • Around 20% of industrial water pollution in the world comes from textiles. Also, about 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used to turn raw materials into textile.
  • As per another report, about one garbage truck of textiles is either burnt or landfilled. This happens about every second!