For years, researchers have been warning about imminent environmental changes. Positions have been taken and polarized at the highest level. Left-wingers overexaggerated, and conservatives trivialized the facts. But things are getting tough today: bad news is reported every day on television or in the newspapers.

Big Polluters
The textile industry, and especially the finishing sector, has been among the biggest polluters for many centuries. In certain countries in which the issues of environmental degradation are not recognized, it is still so. And other countries are claiming that they have a disadvantage in their competitiveness due to tight environmental laws. This has particularly been the case in Asian countries.

However, this situation seems really to be changing now, and promising results could be seen at this year's Intertextile Shanghai, the biggest fabric fair worldwide, held last month. Driven by the pressure of many Western buyers who put emphasis on environmentally responsible production and humane working conditions, the Eastern producers have been forced to change their production methods, with regard to both the environment and labor conditions.

Furs?
Wearing fur coats also has caused many disputes over the years. Many fur products are no longer used owing to recent attacks on wearers of furs, although the animals did not get their lives back. The case went so far that famous fashion models appeared naked on posters to advocate not wearing true fur coats anymore. For certain, there are some differences as to which furs still could be used for apparel. Farmed animals are rather well included - with some exceptions.

Also in the area of artificial furs, the textile and textile machinery industries have made astonishing progress within the last few years. On the market today, there are artificial furs that are hardly distinguishable from real furs, at least visually. Plain or printed, the results are fantastic, and there is hope that certain animals can live now in peace and poaching will fade out.

But other reasons also played just as large a role for the decimation of these animals: superstition and eating habits. A special fuss always opened up when it was about Asian eating habits that are totally strange to Western citizens. The fuss also has to do with certain animals that belong to the most beautiful species but are becoming rarer: big cats like tigers, ocelots and many more. The superstition is that eating certain parts of their bodies will endow one with virtually magical strengths. Much education is necessary and less condemning of these people.

Yes, But Artificial Furs!
However, also for this issue, there were positive signs at Intertextile Shanghai: Artificial furs could be seen in all patterns and qualities at many booths. The products presented were partly of excellent quality and could hardly be distinguished from a true fur. Artificial furs were also presented at many Chinese booths. And at only one of the booths could one read: "Save the big cats." As an admirer of nature and big cats in particular, one can only say: This is a promising start, isn't it?

November 3, 2009