The fashion industry seriously threatens every facet of our planet’s environment. It is responsible for 4% of all carbon emissions, more than the carbon output of Germany, France and the U.K. combined and 35% of all microplastics in the ocean. With the rise of fast-fashion in recent decades, our consumption of cheap clothes made of polluting oil-based products has skyrocketed—and Earth is paying the price. Of the 100 billion garments produced yearly, 85% get sent to a landfill or an incinerator, and just 1% are recycled. 

Worse, fast-fashion factories in the global south are fraught with human rights violations. Workers are commonly paid below their country’s legal minimum wage, and child labor is rampant.  

Shockingly, no legally-binding laws regulate the $2.5 trillion fashion industry. Today, the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, (“The Fashion Act”), awaits passage in the New York State Assembly and Senate. This historic bill will finally hold the fashion industry accountable. Importantly, New York’s status as a global leader of fashion means that enacting The Fashion Act will ignite positive change worldwide. 

The Fashion Act will obligate fashion companies operating in New York and making over $100 million in global revenues to:  

• Adhere to comprehensive reporting on energy, greenhouse gas emissions, water, plastic use and chemical management — demanding transparency at last from some of the world’s biggest polluters
• Achieve Science Based Targets set out in the Paris Accords that reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry at the rate needed to prevent global warming 2C above pre-industrial levels
• Actively engage in improving standards within their supply chain by adhering to mandatory due diligence and labor disclosures
• Abide by the aforementioned criteria or face a fine of up to 2% of annual revenues

EARTHDAY.ORG has proudly supported The Fashion Act since its inception. Now, we ask YOU to join us in support of this crucial bill, for the planet’s sake.  

Write to your representatives TODAY. LET’S GET THIS PASSED!