Scientists have openly warned people that the Earth is not in a good condition and it is getting worse day by day. WHO, a United Nations agency focusing on international health released a statement that one in four child dies each year because of the polluted environment.
On their official website, WHO stated that air pollution, second-hand smoke and lack of sanitation, among others are one of the major causes of the death of children under five years old. One of the reports presented in the statement shows that pneumonia and diarrhea as a few of the major cause of the deaths could be prevented by reducing the environmental risks.
The report also reveals that children could get exposed to the toxins come from electric and electronic wastes that are not recycled properly. The emerging environmental hazards could lead to "reduced intelligence, attention deficits, lung damage, and cancer." WHO also encourage people, including industrial sectors, to reduce air pollution and make every place safe for children.
Meanwhile, the fashion industry is claimed to be the second dirtiest industry. Greenpeace reported that in producing a pair of jeans, it would take 7,000 liters water and there are roughly two billion pairs produced annually. And for shirts, 2,700 liters water is needed to make one shirt.
The environmental hazards could be found in around 1.7 million tons chemical substances used in the dyeing process, as well as the usage of PFCs that permanently affect the environment. With 80 billion pieces of clothing produced around the world each year, only 25% get recycled with three in four garments end up in the junkyard.
Fast fashion is mentioned as the cause of the over consumption. With the influence of fashion bloggers and internet effect on the way people see fashion, many people would have the idea that wearing the same clothes twice is bad, thus they need to buy more. The number of fashion consumption is also increasing every year, as Americans are reportedly bought three times less fifty years ago, according to Greenpeace.
The non-profit organization recommends people to control their impulse buying and recycle their clothes. As not all the garments can be recycled, donating is also suggested in reducing the environmental risk. Trying to fashionably mix and match the outfits would also help to save the environment by buying fewer clothes.
Watch the correlation between fast fashion industry and the environmental risk:
