How Sustainable Fashion Brand Tentree is Tackling Climate Change

Kira Simpson

In partnership with Tentree

24,307,310

That’s the number of trees planted by this sustainable clothing brand since its inception in 2012.

With a belief in their ability to make an active change, the outdoor apparel company is taking on climate change, ten trees at a time.

For every item sold tentree, plants ten trees. Partnering with organisations and communities around the world to help restore forests and ecosystems by planting 1 billion trees by 2030.

sustainable fashion brand
sustainable fashion brand

The facts

Forests cover 31% of the land area on our planet.

Over 1.6 billion people rely on forests for food, water, clothing, shelter, as well as being home to some of the world’s most threatened and endangered species.

We’re losing 18.7 million acres of forests each year. The equivalent to 27 soccer fields every single minute.

The destruction and degradation of forests are not only impacting on the people and animals which rely on them, it’s also a significant contributor to climate change.

So what can ten trees do?

  • Ten trees planted absorb over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year
  • Ten trees planted can provide employment to people living in impoverished areas
  • Ten trees planted provide communities with sustainable wood for building and cooking
  • Ten trees planted protect species of animal critical to the world’s ecosystems
  • Ten trees can live for 20-30 years and propagate seedlings which in turn grow into more trees

"At tentree, we're focused on more than just planting trees. We want to help change lives. Not only does reforestation revitalize dry arid soil and provide a substantial oxygen supply, but it directly benefits locals living in the area by providing wood for fuel, food, and fodder for livestock, as well as permanent and seasonal employment."

How do they do it?

tentree partners with foundations in the countries where they want to plant trees. Each project is different, varies by location and focus on working on problems specific to that region. For example, in Nepal, they fund nurseries that can be used to grow tens of thousands of trees at one time. In Madagascar, villagers are given the task of collecting propagules from existing mangrove trees, sorting them, so they’re ready for planting.

When the time is right, local villagers are employed to plant the trees and take care of the newly planted forests. This includes hiring guards to protect the seedlings from animals and later when the forests have grown, from logging and deforestation.

The purpose is to empower communities and create long-term meaningful change for people and the environment.

sustainable fashion brand
sustainable fashion brand

Review

I’m wearing the no-fi tee in size small. The logo is apt as there was no service in Far North Queensland! It’s made from a combination of recycled polyester, organic cotton, and TENCEL®. All tentree products are made using low impact and environmentally progressive materials.

I wore the tee on a bushwalk through the Daintree Rainforest, for a day trip to see a reef restoration project on Fitzroy Island and several morning yoga sessions.

Despite the 35 degree tropical heat, 90% humidity, and sweat as my constant companion, I remained relatively dry and cool, and there was no sticking or bunching up from the tee.

Overall, it’s a 10/10 for me for this; it’s such a great fit and hugs my curves without being too tight. I would love to see these made in plain colours. The perfect white tee is hard to come by!

Living in a cooler climate? I also have the Burnie Hoodie, which is incredibly soft and warm. I’m very much looking forward to wearing in the winter months.

Shop the tentree range here – get 20% off with the code KIRA20

Sponsored by tentree

Photography David Simpson

sustainable fashion brand
sustainable fashion brand

Kira Simpson

Kira Simpson is an environmentalist and sustainability expert. She started The Green Hub as a blog in 2015, which has since grown to become one of Australia’s largest education sites dedicated to helping people live a more sustainable lifestyle.