While we appreciate that everyone has an opinion on the very touchy subject of Global Warming and while we are not of a mind to start preaching our own beliefs at anyone. We did think however that as a new company slowly making its way into the world-wide marketplace, that we should point out what we are doing to as we term it “act responsibly”. As we here at Duke The Label are keen to do our bit to hopefully improve the planet in our own small way and failing that to at least not make it any worse.
It’s a sad fact that when it comes to protecting the environment the fashion and clothing industry doesn’t have a particularly good track record or even a reputation for doing the right thing. In fact the fashion industry is currently being branded on “Wikipedia” as the combined second biggest polluter of the environment, with particular reference towards its affect upon the rising levels of air, water and soil pollution it causes. The fashion industry is reckoned to be responsible for around 10% of the worlds current levels of carbon emissions.
Where the whole relationship between pollution and climate change is open to a great deal of debate and conjecture, one thing we can all agree upon is that our current world-wide reliance on single use plastics needs to be drastically decreased. The horrendous video’s cropping up on social media showing rivers choked up with the plastic rubbish we so readily discard are enough to turn anyone’s stomach. While on holiday in Bali a couple of years ago, I was put off going surfing due to the floating debris polluting the beaches and the area with otherwise perfect rolling waves I wanted to enjoy.
My Dad has been a long-time supporter and fund-raiser for the International Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and has helped make me more aware of the harmful effects the plastic rubbish is having on our marine life. It’s not just the Whales and Dolphins that are being affected by our plastic pollution though. Turtles in particular are being hit even harder, as the plastic debris floating around in the water resembles one of their main food sources – the jellyfish.