Last week we learned about sustainability, climate change, and the connection between the climate and our closets.  

Question:

Who can remind everyone what sustainability means?

Slide 1

Answer:

Sustainability is the idea that humans must live with the environment in a way that ensures there will be enough resources left for future generations to meet their own needs.

The climate change we are experiencing now is a warning that we are not living sustainably. Let’s look at how continued climate change could impact California if we don't become more sustainable.

Before we begin, it's important to remember there is still time for a climate comeback if we start acting now.

Slide 2

In Los Angeles, the number of extreme heat days (over 97°F) is projected to rise from an historical average of 4 per year to over 70 days in the next 50 years.

Slide 3

The amount of snow in California’s mountains is a key source of water for our state. Rising temperatures will cause a decline in the amount of snow by more than a third in the next 25 years and more than half by 2100, even if precipitation levels remain stable.

Slide 4

By 2100, forest fires in California are expected to increase in average area burned by up to a 77 percent with a 50 percent increase in the number of fires exceeding 25,000 acres (12,500 soccer fields).

Slide 5

The current best available science predicts that the state’s coastline could experience between 1.1–1.9 feet of sea-level rise by 2050.  Rising water levels and increased storm activity will increase coastal erosion, impacting beaches and cliffs throughout the state. For example, a projected 31–67 percent of Southern California beaches are projected to be lost by 2100. More than half a million people will be at risk of flooding.

Discussion:

If we don’t begin this #ClimateComeback now by changing the way we live, our state is going to get hotter, get less snow, and lose more forests and beaches. 

What happens if we don’t change? 

Let’s look 25 years into the future. Extreme heat days (over 97°F) will have grown from 4 per year to 40. Our snow level will be 1/3 less resulting in less water available.  The number of wildfires will increase while increased sea levels will begin flooding our coastline.

Now ask the students the following questions:

• How will this effect your life? 

• What will it be like to live in these conditions?

We still have time to fight climate change by living more sustainably. To make the most impact, we need to focus on items everyone uses.  That way, everyone can join in, and the impacts occur much faster. 

Clothes are a perfect way to do this. We all wear them so everyone can participate.  Let’s take a look at how our clothes can save the planet.

Present the Your Clothes can Save the Planet Video

Discussion:

We just learned three easy ways your clothes can help save the Earth. Say no to fast fashion, love your clothes longer, and extend the life of your clothes.

Now ask the students the following questions. Allow multiple students to answer each question and discuss their answers:

Who do you think decides what is fashionable?

Answer:  Executives at the brands we buy determine our fashion to create a constant demand for the clothes they create.

What is the difference between fashion and style? 

Answer:  The definition of fashion is a popular trend. Style is defined by your own personal expression.  Trends only last for a short time, style lasts forever.

Would you rather create your own style or wear fashion determined by others who are trying to sell you more items?

How can you love your clothes longer?

Answer:  Wear them and care for them.

How can you extend the life of clothes that you can no longer wear?

Answer: Give them to friends and family, donate to your school closet or local charity, or sell them at local thrift stores or online.  If they are too worn to continue wearing you can upcycle or recycle them.

Jas created a video to share how she upcycles old clothes into something cool. Check it out and learn how you can do the same.

Present the Jas’ Susty Game Day Fits Video

In addition to the clothes you all brought in, we have some additional items from Angel City FC and Section Z that need a new life.

To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to get what they need for their Fit from the Clothes Swap items I need you all to count off starting at one. Remember your number. I will call out groups of 10 by number to get swap items.  You’ll only have one minute so don’t worry about getting everything you might need for your entire Fit. Focus on a few key items.  After everyone gets their first opportunity, you’ll be able to get more items as needed throughout the next two weeks.

After you have collected your items, please place them in a bag. Write your name on the outside of the bag. We will store these here at the end of class to use next week.

Start calling out student groups to get Clothes Swap Items (1-10, 11-20, 21-30 in any order you like).

We will begin creating our own Susty Game Day Fits next week during a Susty Fashion Workshop. Since our goal is to extend the life of unworn clothes, we are going to start the Workshop with a clothes swap. 

Slide 7

Susty Fashion Workshop:
You will then use the Clothes Swap items, along with gear from Angel City FC and Section Z, to make your own Susty Game Day Fit. Needle and thread, hot glue gun, double sided tape, fabric tape, and other items like safety pins, paper clips, shoelaces, bobby pins, and hair ties will be available for you to use in creating your Fit.

You will have an additional 30 minutes to finish your Fit the following week. 

Slide 8

Game Day:

On Friday, September 27, we will all wear our Susty Game Day Fits to the Angel City FC vs. Washington Spirit game at BMO Stadium. Before the match, everyone will get to share their Fits with fans on the Angel City FC Runway.

Transportation and game tickets will be provided by Angel City FC.

Schedule:

3:30pm            Bus leaves school for BMO Stadium

4:30pm            Arrive at BMO Stadium

5:00pm            Walk the Angel City FC Runway

7:00pm            Angel City FC vs. Washington Spirit

9:00pm            Bus leaves BMO Stadium to return to school

Before we close I have a quick tip from Jas:

"Start brainstorming what you might want to create for the Runway now. For example, if you’ve been wanting a new shirt to wear or new bottoms or to make jacket cooler start thinking about it so you can have an idea of what you want to create/recreate starting next week."

Any Questions?