The fashion industry is responsible for over 8% of total greenhouse gases and 20% of global wastewater, with more than 85% of textiles going into landfills. To manufacture just one pair of jeans, 7,500 L of water is required, resulting in the fashion industry using 93 billion m3 of water. This volume could satisfy the water consumption needs of approximately five million people, illustrating the opportunity cost of new clothing production. With over 30% of all clothes produced never being sold, there is a clear overproduction of clothing, resulting in a significant waste of resources that could be better deployed elsewhere. One way to tackle the fashion industry’s adverse environmental impact is to make use of existing clothes and start thrifting! 

As issues regarding inequality and climate became more widely discussed over the past two years, many consumers paused to reflect on the companies with whom they engaged. What is their broader impact on societies? How are they addressing crucial issues our societies face? Despite the array of management theories, there has yet to be a clear definition of a company’s ultimate purpose. Two options have gained prominence: Shareholder theory and Stakeholder theory.

To combat the negative implications of plastic bags, Bangladeshi scientist Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan created the sonali bag, an environmentally sustainable alternative made from the cellulose of the plant jute. The vegetable fiber is located in South East Asia with 95% of production found in India and Bangladesh. These bags are 100% biodegradable and can decompose in as little as 6 hours.

In light of increased resignations during the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Canadian employers are wondering what they can do to minimize employee turnover and increase worker engagement. The solution? Transitioning to an employee-owned business structure, which, on average, increases worker retention rates, improves profit margins, and allows for a smooth line of succession upon exit. 

Conference of the Parties (COP26), the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, is a global climate action summit with over 197 nations who have agreed to combat “dangerous human interference with the climate system” to ultimately stabilize levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The conference occurred recently between October 31st to November 12th, 2021.