We need speed!

19 April 2023, by Franziska Neigenfind

Photo: laris968/Pixabay

Climate change, our linear throw-away-society and pollution are all elements of the current polycrisis. The required change can seem too big and too complex to be done quickly – after all, all established models state that it takes at least 30 to 50 years for a paradigm change to take place, often longer. But according to the IPCC reports, we don‘t have much time left. We need big changes now.  

A team led by Professor Fenna Blomsma wants to con[1]tribute to taking action towards such positive systemic change – which they call disruptive change – by changing the way we think about how change comes about. As Einstein already put it, current problems cannot be solved with current thinking. In other words: if we accept slow change as the norm, we will get slow change – and this is unhelpful in our current situation.

The team explains under which circumstances disruptive change develops, how to recognize it and how the changeover can be accelerated. It also sets out ways to assess the current status of a system, and prioritize and quickly take action accordingly. In their study, the researchers take a closer look at circular economy within the fashion and textile sector. That is: how resource preservation, efficiency and productivity can be brought to the heart of this sector through the use of such strategies as prevention, reuse, remanufacturing, recycling and composting. The team shows that the textile industry is already on the right track towards a “circular disruption” – an encouraging example.