U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine, a leader in the congressional slow fashion caucus, has formally requested that President Joe Biden include the fashion industry in his recently established White House Task Force on Climate and Trade. In a letter sent to the president, Pingree, along with her caucus members, emphasized the critical role that the fashion and textile industries play in addressing environmental challenges, describing them as a “fundamental missing piece” in the broader effort to combat climate change.
The letter, dated July 12, was signed by six members of Congress who are advocating for the inclusion of fashion and textile industry representatives on the task force. They argue that these industries must have a voice in shaping climate policy to ensure their unique challenges and potential solutions are considered.
“The United States lags sorely behind many other nations in sustainable textile policy, both in regulations and incentives,” the letter stated, underscoring the need for stronger leadership and innovation in this sector.
The White House Climate and Trade Task Force, announced in April by John Podesta, President Biden’s senior advisor on international climate policy, aims to develop a comprehensive climate and trade policy toolkit. The task force’s objectives include ensuring that policy decisions are backed by solid data and identifying opportunities both domestically and internationally to foster economic growth while addressing the climate crisis.
In his announcement, Podesta invited proposals from Congress members and other policy leaders, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to making U.S. manufacturers the “cleanest and most competitive in the world.” He highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce emissions through the use of lower-carbon construction materials, cleaner manufacturing processes, and the adoption of clean energy technologies.
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