The True Cost

During my time at sixth form I decided to complete an extended personal qualification (EPQ) after having watched The true cost documentary by Andrew Morgan. When I first watched the documentary I was shocked, angry and disappointed with the fashion industry and the careless behaviour of us as consumers, oblivious to the devastating and heartbreaking effects fast fashion has on our environment and society. The documentary follows Andrew Morgan uncovering the environmental social and physiological problems around the globe caused by the fashion industry. The film covers everything from the fur industry, the welfare of factory workers, obsession with consumption in western culture and the damaging impact the pollution of the industry is having on our global environment and health of people involved.

It is a documentary that makes you re think the way you shop and makes you realise the impact you have as a consumer on the world around you.

The way factory workers are treated, animals are cruelly abused and the decay that fashion leaves in its path is really brought to light in the documentary and is something I feel very strongly against.

It is important to know where your clothes are from, who made them and the responsibility we have as consumers and moral people to treat the people who make them with respect. Factory laws need to be changed to protect workers. Their rights, pay and working conditions need to be improved drastically. Animals need to be protected and the way we deal with textile waste and chemicals needs to be changed, in order to protect our planet and the creatures living on it.

Even if you aren’t interested in fashion, you play a huge part in the impact it has on our planet as a consumer. If you do anything today, please watch The True Cost and rethink your attitude to the clothes you buy and wear.