From climate change and melting glaciers to landscape alteration and wildlife disappearances, our planet has undergone an unprecedented amount of loss in the recent years, and at an exponential rate no less. Scientists and researchers whose work involves dealing closely with ecological issues on a regular basis have all confirmed to have first-hand witnessed our earth dying a slow, painful death. Needless to say, this has inspired in them a deep sense of grief, and many are seeking online communities and even professional help in order to cope with their grief and voice their concerns. This sentiment, named as ‘Eco-Grief’ by naturalists and mental health specialists, is growing not only among eco-warriors, but in the general public as well, slowly becoming a universal, mass phenomenon.
The term ‘Eco-Grief’ largely describes the general feelings of anxiety, mourning and even trauma related to ecological losses such as climate change, wildlife extinction, landscape alteration and eventual lifestyle change. Since climate change eventually affects a lot of various factors in our lives, climate change can hit everyone differently and manifest differently in different people. It can be direct, personal trauma for some, like the people directly affected in the bush fires of Australia and the Amazon basin, or a slow-burning anxiety for others, like the glacial researchers of Iceland, who recently organized a ‘funeral’ for the glacier Okjokull in order to mark the loss of its glacier status and warn against future climate change. Regardless of how it affects or manifests in us, more and more people are now experiencing eco-Grief and eco-anxiety in unparalleled amounts. As the earth rapidly descends into chaos, it is natural for human beings to mourn not only human, animal and plant deaths, but also be deeply affected by the loss of familiar identities, cultures and lifestyles.
As this new phenomenon gradually becomes a mass sentiment, it will undoubtedly influence consumer behavior as well. Fashion brands need to be able to respond to this shift quickly and authentically or risk being left behind. With ‘sustainability’ already being a buzzword in fashion, a newly emerging value, among brands and consumers alike, is consciousness. More and more youngsters, especially Gen Z are becoming more conscious of the choices they make, and how these choices affect the eco system and their fellow humans. A sharp rise in veganism/vegetarianism, a newfound commitment to minimum waste lifestyle, active uproar against climate change on social media all allude to this new ‘woke’ or conscious mindset among young consumers.
More and more youngsters these days are reportedly supporting brands with a valuable meaning attached to it rather than just for aesthetic sake, for example, a certain brand upcycling vintage clothes, or another donating to a green cause. In this sense, we see that fashion is no more purely an aesthetic expression, but a tool for ecological warriors that helps them support their cause and voice their concerns.
In order to cater to the new conscious consumers, brands need to make sure they make ecologically and socially conscious choices along each step of the fashion cycle. Brands need to not only source and produce sustainably, but also be mindful about communicating consciously via campaigns and digital media, highlighting the pressing ecological issues of the modern world. However, using ‘ecology’ and ‘sustainability’ as mere marketing tools will only take a brand so far, as consumers are now more aware and weary of hypocritical brands- thus, authenticity and transparency is key.
In a rapidly changing ecology, it is imperative that individuals and brands come together and take conscious, authentic action towards a more sustainable tomorrow. The future lies in mindful and responsible choices.
Shop consciously with Ipseity and our ethical and sustainable designers!
Eco Grief And The Move Towards Consciousness
From climate change and melting glaciers to landscape alteration and wildlife disappearances, our planet has undergone an unprecedented amount of loss in the recent years, and at an exponential rate no less. Scientists and researchers whose work involves dealing closely with ecological issues on a regular basis have all confirmed to have first-hand witnessed our earth dying a slow, painful death. Needless to say, this has inspired in them a deep sense of grief, and many are seeking online communities and even professional help in order to cope with their grief and voice their concerns. This sentiment, named as ‘Eco-Grief’ by naturalists and mental health specialists, is growing not only among eco-warriors, but in the general public as well, slowly becoming a universal, mass phenomenon.
The term ‘Eco-Grief’ largely describes the general feelings of anxiety, mourning and even trauma related to ecological losses such as climate change, wildlife extinction, landscape alteration and eventual lifestyle change. Since climate change eventually affects a lot of various factors in our lives, climate change can hit everyone differently and manifest differently in different people. It can be direct, personal trauma for some, like the people directly affected in the bush fires of Australia and the Amazon basin, or a slow-burning anxiety for others, like the glacial researchers of Iceland, who recently organized a ‘funeral’ for the glacier Okjokull in order to mark the loss of its glacier status and warn against future climate change. Regardless of how it affects or manifests in us, more and more people are now experiencing eco-Grief and eco-anxiety in unparalleled amounts. As the earth rapidly descends into chaos, it is natural for human beings to mourn not only human, animal and plant deaths, but also be deeply affected by the loss of familiar identities, cultures and lifestyles.
As this new phenomenon gradually becomes a mass sentiment, it will undoubtedly influence consumer behavior as well. Fashion brands need to be able to respond to this shift quickly and authentically or risk being left behind. With ‘sustainability’ already being a buzzword in fashion, a newly emerging value, among brands and consumers alike, is consciousness. More and more youngsters, especially Gen Z are becoming more conscious of the choices they make, and how these choices affect the eco system and their fellow humans. A sharp rise in veganism/vegetarianism, a newfound commitment to minimum waste lifestyle, active uproar against climate change on social media all allude to this new ‘woke’ or conscious mindset among young consumers.
More and more youngsters these days are reportedly supporting brands with a valuable meaning attached to it rather than just for aesthetic sake, for example, a certain brand upcycling vintage clothes, or another donating to a green cause. In this sense, we see that fashion is no more purely an aesthetic expression, but a tool for ecological warriors that helps them support their cause and voice their concerns.
In order to cater to the new conscious consumers, brands need to make sure they make ecologically and socially conscious choices along each step of the fashion cycle. Brands need to not only source and produce sustainably, but also be mindful about communicating consciously via campaigns and digital media, highlighting the pressing ecological issues of the modern world. However, using ‘ecology’ and ‘sustainability’ as mere marketing tools will only take a brand so far, as consumers are now more aware and weary of hypocritical brands- thus, authenticity and transparency is key.
In a rapidly changing ecology, it is imperative that individuals and brands come together and take conscious, authentic action towards a more sustainable tomorrow. The future lies in mindful and responsible choices.
Shop consciously with Ipseity and our ethical and sustainable designers!
Credits:
Writer: Anubhuti Arya
Photography: Ren Hang and Ana Mendieta