Environmental Activists Protest against London Fashion Week

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. stage / steɪdʒ / (v) – to do or organize something in public
    Example:

    The organization staged a protest in front of the town hall yesterday.


  2. infuriate / ɪnˈfyʊər iˌeɪt / (v) – to make someone extremely mad or angry
    Example:

    The unfair comments on my video infuriated me.


  3. exploitation / ˌɛk splɔɪˈteɪ ʃən / (n) – the act of using someone or something unfairly
    Example:

    The protesters call for the company to stop the exploitation of natural resources.


  4. inadequate / ɪnˈæd ɪ kwɪt / (adj) – not enough
    Example:

    His efforts to save his company were inadequate because the company still went bankrupt.


  5. resort to (something) / rɪˈzɔrt tʊ / (phrasal) – to do something else because the initial action did not work
    Example:

    The protesters resorted to violence and started throwing tear gas.


Article

Read the text below.

Environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion staged a demonstration urging the UK government to cancel London Fashion Week.


To gather support, the group created a Facebook event inviting people to join the demonstration. On the second day of London Fashion Week in February, hundreds of people came to support the protest. As a result, the roads outside one fashion show venue became congested, infuriating a number of motorists. The protesters also brought placards and banners that called out the fashion industry for its continuous exploitation of the environment.


According to the group, the fashion industry is responsible for over 5% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and is considered as one of the most wasteful industries. Because of this, the group appeals to fashion brands to put an end to overproduction, overconsumption, and environmental exploitation. The group also asks the industry to use its power to discuss climate issues and make positive ecological changes.


Prior to the protest, Extinction Rebellion sent a letter to the British Fashion Council, the government agency that regulates the fashion industry. The group demanded the creation of policies that will prevent the fashion industry from further destroying the environment.


In response to the protest, the London Fashion Week event launched an exhibition highlighting “positive fashion.” This initiative prompted several designers to use sustainable resources and recycled materials.


However, Extinction Rebellion believes the initiative was still inadequate, and completely canceling the London Fashion Week was the best thing to do. The group warned that it will resort to more drastic actions if the next London Fashion Week event, scheduled in September, is not canceled.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think protesting against London Fashion Week will make a huge impact on the environment? Why or why not?
• Do you think Extinction Rebellion’s manner of protesting is an effective way to communicate the group’s concern for the environment? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Do you think the fashion industry is guilty of overproduction, overconsumption, and exploitation of the environment? Why or why not?
• Do you think it is possible for the fashion industry to become entirely sustainable? Why or why not?