WHAT ROLE DOES FASHION PLAY IN THE SDGS?

The Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) were created in 2015 by the United Nations Member countries as a global call to action. These seventeen goals were created as an initiative to generate a significant positive impact on the world by the year 2030. Everyone has a part to play in helping to accomplish the SDGs, and the fashion industry especially must rise to the occasion and make serious changes. 

At What On Earth, we are committed to being part of this revolution through the thoughtful sourcing of the collection of brands. Our brands make tremendous strides to the betterment of society by contributing to the following SDGs. 

SOCIAL IMPACT 

Goal 1 No Poverty

→ When brands pay better, there is a ripple effect of the quality of life for the employee, their family, and their community. In order to be considered a living wage, it must be able to provide the employee with food, utilities, housing, healthcare, education, clothing, transportation, and savings. Our brands believe that everyone in the world deserves access to fundamental human rights, wouldn’t you agree?

Goal 5 Gender Equality

 → What is more inspiring than an empowered woman? Our brands acknowledge and appreciate what a force females are in the fashion industry. Whether they are owned by women, run by women, or support women’s initiative, our brands do girl-power better. 

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

→ Diversity is beautiful, but you didn’t need us to tell you that. Our brands elevate and celebrate the uniqueness of both their employees and their consumers. One size doesn’t fit all, and we don’t want it to. 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth

→ Childhood is so precious, and our brands work to keep it that way. In today’s world, we can no longer turn a blind eye and pass off responsibility and accountability. Brands have to ensure that their entire supply chain is free from child labour. By shopping with our brands, you can be assured that no child workers were used at any point in the process of creating the products.     

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 

→ Our brands don’t encourage you to buy more; instead, they want you to buy better. Their products are of higher quality and are made to last, because someday your favorite pieces should be passed closet to closet, not in a landfill. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Goal 14: Life Below Water

→ We can’t afford to continue to waste water during the fabrication process, not to mention the high levels of water pollution produced in the aftermath. Our brands work with a wide variety of alternative materials, such as organic cotton. This is such great news! Why? Materials like organic cotton not only reduce water consumption by 80% but also do not contain pesticides or insecticides, so no toxic chemicals contaminate the water supply. Water is one of the world’s most essential resources, and it’s about time we started treating it that way.    

Goal 15: Life on Land

→ Let’s be real; the fashion industry owes the Earth a big apology. Trees are vital to capturing the CO2 from the atmosphere (think of them as the Earth’s lungs!), and they continue to be destroyed to make materials like viscose. Our brands work with amazing innovative alternative materials that help reduce the amount of deforestation and protect biodiversity worldwide. 

For more information about the UN Sustainable Development Goals, please visit their website!