Nike. Vans. Adidas. These are only a few of the name brands that dominate the shoe industry. Step after step, our feet are home to a pair of shoes. Even the worn-out pair that we get attached to. However, there’s more to shoes than just comfort and style. In a Ted Talk about “The wildly complex anatomy of a sneaker,” Angel Chang shows the need for a balance with sustainability.
It's no surprise that the United States is the highest in sneaker consumption. Chang states “No country buys more sneakers than the United States, where people purchase 3 pairs a year on average.” We can only hope that these purchases were to replace worn-out shoes, or by donating and getting a new pair. That likely isn’t the case. The materials, manufacturing, and assembly are purposely geared towards comfort and style. It's what we remember the most. It shows how Americans are willing to satisfy their consumer habits and forget about a sustainable future. If we don’t value our shoes, we’re not putting them to good use. Buying fewer shoes, wearing them longer, and donating to those in need is much more practical. These consumer habits point to their effects on our environment.
As we fuel our love for shoes, so does the pollution emitted from their creation. Chang states “Sneakers alone generate 313 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of 66 million cars.” Side by side, shoes don’t seem as complex as a car. But as Chang describes, it has enough power to have the same environmental impact. It emphasizes how each material of these shoes can emit greenhouse gasses. Along with its assembly, pollution starts to build up as something that seems so harmless is created at the expense of our planet.
The need for a balance with sustainability can be done in small steps. Recognize consumer habits. Support manufacturing for a cleaner environment. Yes, it is easy to focus on style and comfort. But as our shoes hit the pavement, it is a reminder of the path that we are leaving for our future.
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Hi Alexis
ReplyDeleteI loved your summary of the ted talk. It’s interesting to hear that the average American only gets 3 new pairs of shoes a year. Personally I don’t even get that many but I can assume many other teenagers in our generation surpass that average. Donating shoes is defiantly more sustainable and could really help pollution and the cost. Greak work!