Hiya, DoSomething members:

Like you, we are super passionate about fighting for climate justice and envisioning a green future for our communities. Many of our members have learned how to take action to make a difference through our See Us, Hear Us: Climate Justice campaign and that’s a huge win! But wait, there’s more! We recently spoke with sustainable fashion advocate Niha Elety about how young people can DoSomething to turn their passions into action. Check out our Q&A with her below!

P.S. Niha also shares some awesome sustainable fashion tips so you can look good while envisioning a greener future! Don’t mind us, we’re just taking some notes ✍🏻✍🏼✍🏽✍🏾✍🏿

Let’s Do This!

DoSomething

Niha Elety, Sustainable Fashion Advocate

DoSomething: Tell us a bit about yourself! How did you first get involved with sustainable fashion and advocacy?

Niha: I have always been a visual person starting art and design work from the age of 5. I moved to India from the US when I was 11 and that's when I developed a lot of knowledge of sustainability from a South Asian lens and realized how ingrained it was in our culture. From the accessibility of locally made textiles, fashion systems and fresh food, to the flourishing cultural heritage, these systems were much healthier than what I saw in the Global North. But unfortunately, many countries like India are still reeling from the effects of colonization and capitalistic systems. That is what inspired me to advocate through design and showcase sustainable systems from a South Asian point of view.

DoSomething: At DoSomething, we believe that environmental justice is a social justice issue. How does the work you do tackle these issues?

Niha: To me, sustainable fashion is a powerful lens to explore the problems in our systems and that goes deeper than just environmentally friendly fabrics and fair wages. At its soul, it is about restorative justice for people and the planet. My work focuses on achieving this by focusing the conversation on reparations to communities and countries dealing with exported clothing waste, effects on Black and brown bodies, power distribution, creating localized economies, thinking of fashion as a product of agriculture, focusing on regenerative agriculture, embracing colorful and cultural designs, and reviving/centering indigenous craft and knowledge as the means to move forward.

DoSomething: Our See Us, Hear Us: Climate Justice campaign shines a light on climate injustice and environmental racism in cities across the nation. Why is it important that we have these conversations, especially with young people?

Niha: Young people know so much more than we are given credit for. We are active in our communities and always willing to learn, unlearn and grow so we can create a just future. Building youth-led movements on the ground is so crucial to creating powerful legislation and sustainable solutions that are specific to each community. There is no one-size-fits-all for the climate crisis and with our youth sharing their stories we can create the systems we wished we grew up with.

DoSomething: What advice would you give to our members who are wanting to make a change and help fight climate injustice?

Niha: I would say start small and start local. The biggest barrier to acting is fear of not doing enough or being imperfect. We need more imperfect environmentalists operating from a place of love and abundance for their communities. Volunteering with a group of individuals in your community for issues that plague it most is a great place to create systemic change that specifically works for you!

(Bonus! You can make a change through DoSomething’s Strength Through Service program–allowing you to foster love and abundance in your community through volunteering)!

DoSomething: We’re asking our members to share with us their vision for a greener future. Tell us, what does a green future look like to you?

Niha: Justice will not simply come with technological advances, recycling, and reducing carbon footprint. We still aren’t talking about these solutions critically enough; they are discussed in isolation and do not acknowledge our ecosystems at large or colonial histories. To me, a greener future is when communities can have access to fresh air, water, and food. It is led by indigenous communities who have been stewarding our planet for millennia and have created agricultural systems, textiles and lifestyles that give back to the earth more than they take from it.

DoSomething: Lastly, leave us with a bit of inspiration! What or how is your favorite way to shop sustainably (while still looking ultra-chic!)?"

Niha: My first tip is to get creative with the clothes you already have! Next mend, repair, upcycle, swap, and repurpose items to give them a new life. If I absolutely need something, I love to find hidden gems at secondhand shops and experiment with them. Finally, if I want to treat myself to a luxury purchase, I will shop my favorite sustainable brands from this huge directory I built for myself and friends, you can find them on my website www.eletbyniha.com!

Let’s do this!

Dosomething

Did you know that only 20% of young people have a good understanding of climate injustice and environmental racism? Learning about the climate crisis and who is disproportionately affected by it is a great first step. You can also share with us how your community may be affected, along with your vision for a green future! You can share your story through our See Us, Hear Us: Climate Justice campaign.

If you want to be inspired by other young people taking action, check out these DoSomething members who have already shared their stories.

DoSomething member Bailey P, 17 said, “My community suffers from environmental racism. I go to school in a rural area that is known for its strawberry fields. Every day I see minority workers tending the fields and picking strawberries. The issue lies in the fact that I also see machines spraying these fields with pesticides and weed killers. The use of pesticides and weed killers can cause many health problems for people in close, frequent contact. These chemicals can also leach into the groundwater and contaminate freshwater sources in my community. I believe there should be more focus placed on natural pesticides and weed killers to help keep our minority farmworkers safe and healthy.”

“My community is impacted by climate injustice through high-carbon emissions centralized in urban communities,” said DoSomething member Josh K, 24. “My vision for a greener future is to find low-carbon alternative options for producing better energy output.”

Join Bailey and Josh in fighting climate injustice and envisioning a green future!

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