At first glance, it may not seem like food and fashion have much in common. However, these fields play a significant role in expressing cultural and personal identities while contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and unethical labor practices. The Forward Food & Fashion event during NYC Climate Week brought together leaders and experts to address these challenges and brainstorm sustainable solutions. Hosted by Clim-Eat in collaboration with Barnard College and Columbia Climate School, the event featured discussions, presentations, and interactive activities. Dhanush Dinesh, founder of Clim-Eat, emphasized the need to break silos and work together to create a more sustainable future.
Keynote speaker Jessica Fanzo highlighted the hidden costs of fast fashion and fast food industries and stressed the importance of taking action to improve sustainability. Sandra Goldmark, an advocate for circularity, shared her journey from theater set design to promoting sustainable practices in fashion. The event also included panels on Women Leading in Climate, exploring diverse perspectives on climate change and its impact on food and fashion.
Experts discussed the necessity of increasing transparency, improving traceability, and incentivizing better choices for consumers. The event showcased sustainable practices, including a lunch provided by Le Botaniste and dishes created by student teams for the Sustainability Fusion Challenge. The goal of the event was to inspire collective action and encourage innovative solutions for a more sustainable future in food and fashion.
Ultimately, creating a sustainable future for food and fashion requires a collaborative effort and a variety of solutions. As Sandra Goldmark stated, it’s not about finding a single solution but building a diverse ecosystem of sustainable practices. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone wins in the journey towards sustainability.
