The Slow Fashion Caucus has told US president Joe Biden not to overlook the fashion industry’s potential to address the climate crisis.

The Slow Fashion Caucus’ founder and chair Chellie Pingree is urging president Biden to include representatives from the fashion and textile industries in the new White House Task Force on Climate and Trade.

In a letter written to the president, Pingree and members of the Slow Fashion Caucus highlight the significant climate challenges facing the fashion industry and argue the sector is a “fundamental missing piece” in discussions on the climate crisis.

“Americans are the largest consumers of fashion and textiles in the world, and these various sectors employ millions of people domestically. There are growing business and job opportunities in all skill levels in areas of fashion like sustainable textiles and textile manufacturing, reuse and recycling technology, logistics, and science,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The opportunity to capture the nascent promise of this sector, which will in turn bolster our economy and create jobs in our communities, is one the United States should not overlook.”

The letter claims the fashion and textile industry is responsible for an estimated 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

It adds textile waste has increased 80% since 2000, making it “the fastest growing waste stream in the country”.