The province of Ontario recently scrapped a proposed eco-tax on goods and services that negatively have an impact on the environment. This was largely due to public outcry, compounded by the installation of the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) on the same day.

Evidence is growing to support the belief that we are running out of space to live on this planet and that we should help maintain what space and water we have to promote a sustainable future for generations to come. Simply enter the term “global warming” your search engine of choice and you will be bombarded with everything from Global Warming For Dummies to documentaries recording human instigated damage on our environment. Ultimately, caring for this planet we call Earth should not be a chore. Education should be instigated at an early age to bring children closer to the environment so they have that initial connection.

Staying in Ontario, it is customary that high schools require students to complete a minimum forty hours of community service in order to graduate. Taxation by force should be the only way to care for this planet. Encouraging volunteers to plant trees, or creating jobs which promote the local environment are just some of a long list of potential solutions which will have both short-term and long-term benefits, more jobs and a healthier environment for your children for your family. We are all in this metaphorical boat together. We can either continue on course to that iceberg or we can alter destinations to suit our cultures. We are a diverse race, but a united force capable of living in a variety of places. Towns should consider what needs to be improved, whether it is the water supply or smog levels, and work with communities to foster a stronger partnership.

Sustainable fashion is likely as trendy as eating Brussels Sprouts, yet in both cases, there is a benefit. The costs of purchasing environmentally friendly clothing may currently be against the mass public if demand for it increases, competition for retail stores should equate to a reduction of prices. Concerning the future of sustainable fashion, there are three immediate possibilities.

1) The increased production of  biodegradable clothing.

2) The increased production of clothing that outlasts average the lifetime of average fabrics (resulting in fewer trips to replace an outfit).

3) The decline of sustainable fashion.

If clothing can be easily absorbed into the environment after use, a benefit to the planet would be fewer landfills. If clothes lasted longer due to ‘super’ fabric, another benefit would be a decrease in shopping for several identical sets of clothing if you had one set which lasted far longer. This is not the best move for a business, due to the fact that customers would shop less frequently, but it would attract new customers, or existing customers, to new creations. Ultimately biodegradable clothing is the best option for the fashion enthusiast who does not want their clothes end up in a garbage dump after losing interest in the design.

Clothing such as suits, ties, even dress pants, are almost a requirement for every household. With a guaranteed customer base, the next step for designers is to ensure the sustainability of their trade without harming the sustainability of humanity in general.

If you have never visited the website of an environmentally friendly fashion company, you might be surprised to learn that sustainable fashion does not equate to wearing a paper bag. To see just how ‘normal’ eco-friendly clothing can appear here are some websites with images.

http://www.thegreenloop.com/Mens_Apparel_s/51.htm

http://www.thegreenloop.com/Womens_Apparel_s/50.htm

http://gretchenandgrace.com/cart/kids-c-250.html

http://www.fashionandearth.com/us/

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