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Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Another Reminder for Businesses on the Larger Climate Change Problem

Hurricanes Helene and Milton: Another Reminder for Businesses on the Larger Climate Change Problem

Why businesses can no longer ignore the climate change problem and how it poses a larger risk to their supply chains

Induja from Trace
October 10, 2024

Happy Thursday!

We’re excited to kick off our newsletter this week with a discussion on what’s going on in the industry. In conversation this week we’ll dive into some of the recent environmental disasters, hurricanes Helene and Milton that have devastated regions in the US and why it’s important for businesses to respond accordingly to climate change threats.

We want to dive deeper into how large fashion retailers are impacted across their entire supply chain by climate change risks and how these risks can be tackled. We’ll also closing out with more features on innovative organizations within the sustainable fashion space and highlight one of the many great sustainable fashion brands partnering with Trace!

Thanks for reading!

Headlines

As Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreak havoc along the eastern U.S., the devastating impact of climate change on local businesses and communities has become increasingly apparent. Helene, which brought flooding and strong winds to North Carolina, has disrupted Asheville’s horticultural industry, with garden centers and greenhouses facing unprecedented challenges in recovery. This local story mirrors the broader, far-reaching effects of hurricanes that are becoming more severe due to climate change.

Many businesses like nurseries, garden centers, and greenhouses, which depend heavily on outdoor environments, have been among the hardest hit. Beyond the immediate destruction of inventory, these businesses face supply chain disruptions, loss of customers, and long-term economic challenges. Businesses across various industries must brace for an increasingly volatile climate, with more frequent and severe hurricanes, as seen with Milton.

This isn't just a regional issue; it’s a global one. The fashion industry, though often overlooked in these discussions, must recognize the threat that climate change poses to its supply chains. From cotton farming to textile production and distribution, extreme weather events can disrupt the sourcing of raw materials, damage manufacturing facilities, and slow down transportation networks.

Fashion brands that rely on global supply chains, particularly those sourcing materials from regions vulnerable to climate impacts, face significant risks. For instance, many fashion companies source natural fibers like cotton from regions prone to droughts and flooding, which are exacerbated by climate change. As hurricanes intensify, the transportation infrastructure that delivers products to markets worldwide can also be severely impacted. The cascading effects of these disruptions could lead to significant delays and cost increases.

The aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton offers a critical reminder: it’s not just industries directly tied to the environment that need to prepare for climate change. Incorporating climate resilience and sustainability into business models isn’t just about safeguarding operations; it’s about contributing to a larger, collective effort to combat the root causes of climate change. As climate-related disasters continue to unfold with increasing severity, the fashion industry has a responsibility to not only minimize its environmental footprint but also to fortify its business against the unpredictable forces of nature.

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