LAW 4: There Is No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Fast Food and Fast Fashion

Humans are the most dangerous organism in our environment. We have high reason and
intellect, but we often use it without care for the environmental consequences. The majority of those in
power use mindless consumption and easy gratification to nullify the existing issues we are facing. The
increasing demand in our food and fashion industry results in a drastic change in our environment's
natural sustainability. As we get used to having everything fast and efficient, from fast food to fast
fashion, we forgot the essence of taking things slow, minimal, and with gratitude.

Most media portray a life full of material possessions and egoistic attention that we often
dismissed the value behind everything to satisfy a short-term pleasure. I've watched many
documentaries regarding our generation's consumption, and I've seen how we take things for granted,
especially those in power. The big industries of food chains and fast fashion had altered our
environment's natural course in inhumane ways. To catch up with the public's demands for cheaper yet
fast producing products, these big corporations lessen the essential areas like health, environment, and
labor. The fabrics mostly used in fast fashion like Polyester and GMO food products in fast food
contribute enormously to destroying the environment. It requires an enormous amount of water and
tons of pesticides and insecticides, which pollutes our environment. Most of the biggest brands like Zara
have literally made their clothes with blood, sweat, and tears as there are people who have already died
and contracted illnesses because of their flawed system. The cheap labor, especially in third-world
countries, commonly leads to precarious work conditions, illegal dumping, very low salaries, and child
exploitation. On the other hand, animals are raised on factory farms for faster food production, where
they are forced to endure cruel and inhumane conditions that deprive them of all their basic instincts.
The production also gives off greenhouse gasses, excessive amounts of trash, the emergence of E. coli,
food poisoning, and contamination, which are all slowly killing us and our earth. It shows that everything
we do has a consequence and the most affected are those in the marginalized area and the voiceless.

It will take time for the fast industry to slow down and to make consumers understand that
cheaper products in the fast-fashion and fast-food industry are way expensive in all areas to combine.
Deciding to be environmentally responsible should be a lifestyle since every decision we make, and
every little thing we consume affects us. It's up to us as a consumer to trigger change by appealing to
companies to take responsibility and apply a no-waste economy. As consumers, we need to educate
ourselves by responsibly reading labels before purchase, consuming eco-friendly products, demanding
ethical production, and transparent sourcing.