Wellbeing & Wellness

Here’s The Latest Sustainability News To Brighten Your Blue Monday!

Sustainability news can often be harrowing, upsetting and make us feel worse. Here at Clooper, we’re dedicated to making the days better.

Climate change is upsetting and that is more than understandable, to allow ourselves to feel our feelings is liberating and courageous. However, wallowing in those feelings does more harm than good! That’s why we at Clooper have rounded up some uplifting and positive sustainability news to keep your spirits high.

CLAMPING DOWN ON FAST FASHION

The fashion industry is the third-largest manufacturing sector in the entire world. Due to this, it’s responsible for producing a whopping chunk of the world’s emissions, up to 8% in total. Scientists have recently spoken out and urged us to cut those emissions to help avoid global catastrophe.

125 companies and 41 supporting organizations have committed to the ‘Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action’: a collective effort to change how clothes and shoes are made and therefore, how much is produced. This phenomenal show of teamwork means we are well on our way to a world less bogged down by pollution from the fashion industry.

If you’d like to help, here’s how you can be more eco-conscious with your clothing:

• Swap clothing with friends. One of our Cloop’d frequently hosts his friends (covid permitting, of course!) to enjoy a ‘catch up and a clothes-swap’ where they lay out all of their clothes to exchange, and then donate any leftovers to the nearest charity shop!
• Social media sites like ‘Vinted’ or ‘Depop’ allow users to sell and even exchange clothes via social media.
• Broken clothes? Mend them! Sewing may seem complicated, though the fundamentals are quite easy. This jolly ‘sewing class for beginners’ video sums them up well!

THE SKHAFTIN BUS

In Johannesburg, there’s a new sight on the block! The Skhaftin bus! Translating to the ‘lunchbox bus’, this fabulous community project is a zero-waste grocery store on wheels. It delivers staple items to the citizens of Johannesburg in a sustainable and affordable way. In addition, shoppers bring their own containers to purchase beans, lentils, porridge and rice among other essential food items, making it easily accessible and eco-friendly. Meet the team and learn more about their Skhaftin bus here.

EUREKA! LAB-GROWN WOOD!

It may seem like a plot point in a movie about a mad scientist, but it’s true! Scientist Ashley Beckwith is spearheading a project that would involve lab-grown wood. To achieve this, her team is growing the wood via a 3D printed gel to mould plant cells into the necessary shape. These wooden parts or planks could be grown instead of farmed and also means that we could essentially supplement traditional forestry methods, protecting our vulnerable environment. Now that’s some positive sustainability news!

THE NAMES STEEL: GREEN STEEL

Four manufacturing firms have managed to create the worlds first fossil fuel-free steel. Because of this, cars will be able to be made with the worlds first ‘green steel.’ Volvo is the first to do so and are currently working to produce ‘green steel’ cars.

The car industry is a very carbon-heavy industry and making steel attributes to 8% of all CO2 emissions. This is because steel is made and defined with very high heat and quite a bit of coal. With green steel, this coal is replaced by hydrogen and green electricity, significantly reducing those emissions. This is a great leap forward to make the industry greener and benefit the planet!

Interested in what you can do to benefit the planet? Try our 5 starter tips here.