Nigerian teens create fashion from trash to fight pollution

Category: Science/Environment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

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

  1. runway / ˈrʌnˌweɪ / (n.) – a long, narrow stage that is used for fashion shows
    Example:

    All the models who walked down the runway tonight looked amazing.


  2. outfit / ˈaʊtˌfɪt / (n.) – a set of clothes that a person wears for a particular event or activity
    Example:

    Do you already have an outfit for the Christmas party?


  3. populous / ˈpɒp yə ləs / (adj.) – used to describe a place that has a lot of people living in it, such as a city or a country
    Example:

    China is the most populous country in the world.


  4. be out to (do something) / bi aʊt tə / (idiom) – to have the intention to do something
    Example:

    The marketing team is out to promote the newest products of the company.


  5. drainage / ˈdreɪ nɪdʒ / (n.) – the system by which water or liquid waste is drained from an area
    Example:

    The broken drainage caused flooding on the road.


Article

Read the text below.

Teenage climate activists in Nigeria’s largest city are recycling trash into runway outfits for a “Trashion Show.”


Chinedu Mogbo, founder of Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative, a conservation group working with the activists, said the show was designed to raise awareness about environmental pollution.


Lagos, one of Africa’s most populous cities with more than 15 million people, generates at least 12,000 metric tons of waste daily, authorities say. And implementation of environmental laws is poor: The World Bank estimates that pollution kills at least 30,000 people in this city every year.


This year’s show came just as world leaders wrapped up two weeks of U.N. climate talks in Egypt.


In collaboration with young activists and models, the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative says it’s out to recycle as many plastics as possible, one community at a time.


It organizes regular trash clean-ups across communities, at drainage ditches and beaches. The plastic litter is then used to create fabrics for the fashion show.


Draped in red plastic spoons and fabric, 16-year-old Nethaniel Edegwa said she joined this year’s edition as a model “to make a change.”


“We can see that we are all being affected by the climate change, so I really want to make a difference,” Edegwa said.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Teenage climate activists are participating in the “Trashion Show” to raise awareness about environmental pollution. What do you think about teenagers who participate in causes like this? Discuss.
  • Do you think a lot of teenagers in your country have environmental awareness? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think the “Trashion Show” will be an effective event to raise awareness about environmental pollution? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Would you be interested to use or buy clothes made of recycled materials? Why or why not? Discuss.