THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE
IT’S THE WORD that’s become unavoidable, one we hear and see all around us. Whole societies, governments and mega-businesses alike are all shifting the way they move and interact with the world because of this one word: sustainability. To some, this word may trigger mental imagery of the Australian bushfires (still burning at the time of writing), the now seemingly distant Amazon rainforest fires that burned for a solid 10 months last year or the sea turtle getting a plastic straw painfully removed from its nose with pliers. But sustainability goes far beyond just the environment. Sustainability is based on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In a nutshell, it’s about ensuring the survival of mankind, as well as the rest of organisms and wildlife that make up this ball we call home. In this issue, we ponder and investigate our environmental, social and economic sustainability. No, I’m not going to start bringing up numbers and start referencing the current situation of the stock markets. Rather, it comes down to a Chanel jacket and a plastic straw. What does that mean? Please bear with me. We are seeking to question the behaviours of our readers and allow them to understand if their relationships with fashion, food, travel have an impact on the world they leave to the next generation. Sustainability doesn’t have to just mean living an “environmentally friendly” lifestyle; it could be as simple as choosing a classic Chanel tweed jacket rather than a frivolous, glitzy piece that costs the same but that you won’t wear more than a few times. It can also be as simple as saying no to a plastic straw with your iced coffee, so no more aforementioned turtles get harmed in the process of getting your caffeine fix. In 2020, nearly every business worth their salt has taken part in one form or another of the sustainability conversation. So we also want to shine the spotlight on some of those who have made an effort to ensure we can enjoy this planet and all of its beauty for many generations to come. In this issue, we have made every effort to only feature brands with sustainability initiatives. And to show that we’re not all talk and no action, we have opted to forgo all plastic treatments and lamination in this magazine you’re holding, and have traded our usual paper for FSCcertified paper so you can enjoy this issue with peace of mind, knowing that it’s been made with materials that have been harvested responsibly.