My name is Ayla Herbers. I am 17 years old and I am attending my last year at Warman High School. As i grew up, i watched our green earth slowly turn grey. I have always had a deep love for nature, and swore to never litter, yet i unknowingly have been a supporter of fast fashion, without realising it's daily impacts on our planet. I can admit, i have shopped at mall stores like H&M, Lululemon, and I believe a good amount of your reading this have as well.

Now ask yourself, would you still buy those cute jeans if you knew they cost 2,000 gallons of drinking water, enough water to keep one person alive for 5 years?

My generation is constantly purchasing new articles of clothing to fit in with weekly or monthly trends being advertised on social media. Pressured into buying things we do not need, being judged for not following what is ''In''. Shopping is not an ideal habit to develop. A habit that is costing the ecosystem in extravagant ways.

Canadians are buying more clothes and are throwing them away faster than ever before. We are buying 60% more than 20 years ago but keeping them for half as long. This is feuling fashion waste cycles. 

Us Canadians discard as much as 1 billion textiles, yearly, most of the time ending up in landfills. These synthetic fibres ARE NOT biodegradable. Chemical run off from these textiles pollutes soil and affects it's quality and reduces nutrients. 

Textile dyeing is a major water polluter, toxic chemicals contaminating rivers, oceans, streams, poisoning aquatic life and harming their ecosystems. 

Large successful Corporations are facing numbers of allegations regarding underpayment and mistreatment to their employees. Lawsuits fighting against dangerous working conditions in factories and warehouses, and claims of being forced to work excessive overtime even when ill. 

In 2019, an investigation took place in Bangladesh, reporting female factory workers making LuluLemon clothing were being physically and verbally abused. 

Our youth needs to listen up. 

Knowing this, if we even want to see the year 2050, we MUST choose quality over quantity. 

 I am asking all readers to take urgent action and not fall victim to the fashion industry.

This means to start embracing shopping at thrift stores, and to stop being embarrassed. 

This means using resale apps, clothing donations, or organised clothing swaps with friends. 

This means alternatives such as renting or borrowing rather than buying something you'll wear once. 

This means repairing your shirt by simply learning how to sew instead of replacing it. 

The true cost of fashion is being paid by our poor planet, and vulnerable underpaid workers. Change is necessary and possible. By signing this petition, we demand the fashion industry to respect human rights and protect our environment.