We’ve all had tough days at work, right? But I’m going to bet your last one didn’t involve multiple colleagues fainting from heat stress.
My guest this week is researcher and academic Cara Schulte, author of an important new report, for Climate Rights International, that looks into the effects of the effects of extreme heat on garment workers in Bangladesh.
These don’t stop at the physical. Workers describe feeling mentally unwell, anxious, hopeless even desperate as both temperatures and humidity climb. And as climate change accelerates, we can only expect conditions to get gnarlier.
So what can fashion do about all this?
Listen to find out about the role of education; how pregnant women are impacted; how heat is linked to violence; why drinking fizzy pop won’t help; how working hours, low wages, audits and PPE come into it; and practical action to improve things that would make a difference today.
Cara’s ultimate message: “When we think about sustainability in fashion, it’s not just about materials and recycling – it has to be about people.”
Essential listening for anyone who produces in the Global South, or buys clothing made there.
Thank you for listening to Wardrobe Crisis.
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