Editor of Irish Tatler magazine, Sarah Macken on #onesmallchange and just what you can expect to find in the July issue of Irish Tatler.
Welcome to Irish Tatler’s biggest ever sustainability special. We’ve embraced everything green across all areas of our lives – from how we clothe and feed ourselves, to the makeup we wear and the rather culturally unsexy topic of recycling – to bring you this out-and-out ode to sustainability.
In the words of one of our wisest cultural icons, Kermit the Frog: “It’s not easy being green.” How I would have loved to deliver an issue in which every single product we feature is part of a tidy, circular economy of renewal. Unfortunately, that cannot yet be the case.
As many of you know, sustainability can be a trying topic.
It seems we wake up every day with another terrifying statistic about how we’ve gone past the point of no return or yet another climate emergency; in fact, it often feels like you’re damned if you do, and damned if you sit, frozen in inaction.
There are some startling facts that stay with us: such as how the first toothbrush you used – ever – in your life is still sitting in a landfill somewhere. But we’re not here to scaremonger, nor to place blame. We have been moulded in a society that has disregarded environmental crises up to this point, meaning the pressure is now on policymakers to effect real and lasting change – like, yesterday.
What we can do now is focus on what is within our power as individuals.
Can you cycle to work instead of driving? Can you alternate between a farmer’s market and your local independent shop? Can you indulge in a Lush binge to cleanse your bathroom of toxic ingredients and single-use plastic? (To this, I can definitely commit.)
Many people say sustainability is a privilege issue. And, in some ways, I agree. While many premium brands have the green nod nowadays, the high street struggles to be taken as seriously in the game. However, to those who say they cannot afford to shop the right brands to make them the more conscious choice I will impart this piece of advice: simply buy less shit. The ability to stop contributing to the beast of consumption is the single most powerful tool we all have at our fingertips as consumers.
Personally, I am happy to see the high street taking a leaf out of the conscious songbook: brands such as Mango, Arket, & Other Stories, H&M and Zara have implemented policies and achieved statistics that can’t be ignored when it comes to changing the game.
Is the high street perfect? No. But at least there is change happening.
And to that, I salute.
For the full article, check out this month's Irish Tatler. On shelves now.
