by Aimee Chen, Environmental Stewardship Program member, Saratoga High School Junior
Last week, I went to watch the RiverBlue documentary during one of the Environmental Stewardship Program sessions. My mom was interested as well, so she joined me.
RiverBlue is a documentary that uncovers the severe pollution of the world’s waterways caused by the fast fashion industry, particularly denim manufacturing. It highlights how toxic waste runoff from factories destroys rivers, which then negatively impacts human health due to the only safe water available becoming contaminated. It argues for a shift toward sustainable and ethical production. Filmed across several continents in places such as China, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, the documentary shows the impact the fashion industry has on the planet, especially due to the demand for fast fashion.
Throughout the documentary, there are countless shots of people standing in rivers, exposing themselves to chemicals as they complete daily chores such as washing clothes. The infamous Ganges, a sacred river, is shown as a dumping ground for factory waste, to the point where the water turns a murky brown. This was a moment that truly shocked me. The documentary opened my eyes to the extreme effects that commercial fast fashion has on the Earth. When people debate ethics in life, most tend to focus on wars or politics, but clothing is often overlooked. Seeing major fashion brands, companies that have the resources to make changes, fail to take action is tragic.
This reaction was not just mine; my mother had a very similar response. She was saddened to learn how much damage fast fashion causes to the environment. She said she would be more mindful when choosing brands that aim to protect our planet.
However, this may not be an option for many people who struggle to make ends meet. Most consumers will still choose the most cost-efficient option when buying clothing, even if they are aware of the environmental impacts.
The documentary brings attention to the environmental damage affecting waterways, but it does not offer clear solutions. I assume this is because the issue is not easy to fix. Still, I found myself wondering. Are there any real solutions? My mother and I actually had a conversation about this afterward.
The documentary begins with China, although the river shown there did not appear as polluted compared to later scenes from other countries. I have been to China many times, and I do not recall seeing heavily polluted rivers. My mother suggested that this may be because the water is now treated more effectively. With a stronger economy, technological innovations, and stricter environmental regulations, conditions have improved or are at least more controlled.
I cannot help but wonder if this is why the documentary does not present a clear solution. The problem cannot be solved simply by shutting down cheap factories or forcing all manufacturers to adopt more sustainable methods at a higher cost. It takes a village! We need to address priorities, embrace innovation, and implement stronger regulations.
I hope that in the future, there will be a RiverBlue Part II that shows a world with cleaner, more beautiful waterways.