Ocean acidification is one of the most pressing environmental challenges caused by human-driven carbon emissions. As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, more of it dissolves into ocean water, altering its chemistry. While the issue is often associated with fossil fuel consumption and deforestation, the fashion and textile industries play a significant yet overlooked role in driving this change. From synthetic fibers made from petroleum to intensive dyeing processes and global transportation networks, fashion contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that ultimately affect marine ecosystems. Understanding the links between ocean acidification and fashion is crucial for pushing systemic change in both production and consumption.
What is Ocean Acidification?
Ocean acidification refers to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, oceans have absorbed about 30% of human-generated CO₂ emissions. When CO₂ dissolves in seawater, it reacts to form carbonic acid, which reduces carbonate ion availability which is a critical compound for marine life that build shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and some plankton.
This change in ocean chemistry has widespread implications. As pH levels drop, marine ecosystems become more fragile. Coral reefs suffer from bleaching, shellfish populations decline, and the food chain becomes disrupted. These biological changes can affect biodiversity, fisheries, and even coastal economies. Ocean acidification is not just a marine problem; it’s a global one tied directly to human consumption and industrial processes.
NOAA. (2023), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). .
Impact of Ocean Acidification
The consequences of ocean acidification are severe and growing. Lower pH levels in oceans weaken coral reefs, reduce fish populations, and damage organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to form shells and structures. Coral reefs, which support nearly a quarter of all marine life, are particularly vulnerable. Their degradation reduces biodiversity and protection for coastlines.
Additionally, changes in marine ecosystems disrupt food chains. Small creatures like zooplankton and pteropods—foundational species in the marine food web—struggle to survive in more acidic waters. This decline affects larger predators, including commercially valuable fish. Human communities that depend on seafood for protein or income are at risk. As acidification increases, it also impairs the ocean’s ability to store carbon, accelerating climate change even further.
Impact on Fashion & Textile Industries
The fashion and textile industries contribute significantly to global CO₂ emissions, 
indirectly fueling ocean acidification. The industry is responsible for roughly 1.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually—more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Several activities across the fashion supply chain exacerbate ocean acidification:
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Textile Production: The majority of textiles today are synthetic (polyester, nylon, acrylic), made from petroleum. These materials are energy-intensive and rely on fossil fuels, releasing CO₂ during extraction and manufacturing.
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Dyeing & Finishing: Textile dyeing uses toxic chemicals and large volumes of water. Wastewater, often discharged untreated, contains heavy metals and salts that disrupt marine chemistry, especially in coastal regions of production-intensive countries like Bangladesh, India, and China.
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Microplastic Pollution: Every time synthetic clothing is washed, it sheds microfibers. These tiny plastic particles flow into waterways and eventually oceans, where they are ingested by marine life. Though not directly linked to acidification, microplastics exacerbate marine stress and interfere with ecological balance.
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Logistics & Globalization: Fast fashion depends on global supply chains. Air and sea transport between manufacturing countries and consumers contribute to rising CO₂ levels. The pressure for cheap, fast delivery increases emissions and deepens the industry’s ecological footprint.
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Agriculture & Land Use: Cotton, while natural, involves intensive pesticide use and irrigation. Fertilizers release nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas, while runoff contributes to ocean dead zones, which worsen the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon.
These industry practices intensify the drivers of ocean acidification, linking what we wear to the health of marine ecosystems.
INTERDEPENDENCIES: FAST FASHION & OCEANS
The relationship between fast fashion and ocean acidification is deeply connected. Every stage of the fast fashion supply chain contributes to rising CO₂ levels, which the ocean absorbs—altering its chemistry.
Here’s how the chain reaction unfolds:
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High Demand for Fast Fashion:
Consumers want cheap, trendy clothes quickly and in large quantities. -
Synthetic Fiber Production:
Over 60% of clothes today are made from fossil-fuel-based materials like polyester. Their production releases significant CO₂. -
Energy-Intensive Manufacturing:
Dyeing, finishing, and factory operations burn large amounts of coal and gas. -
Global Transportation:
Garments are shipped across continents using ships, planes, and trucks—adding more emissions. -
Increased CO₂ in the Atmosphere:
All these stages contribute to higher greenhouse gas levels. -
Oceans Absorb the CO₂:
The ocean, which absorbs about 25–30% of atmospheric CO₂, becomes more acidic over time. -
Result: Ocean Acidification & Ecological Damage
Coral reefs weaken, shell-building organisms suffer, and entire marine ecosystems are thrown out of balance.
This loop shows that fast fashion doesn’t only impact landfills and workers—it directly impacts the health of our oceans.
Solutions
Addressing ocean acidification requires systemic changes in the fashion and textile industries as well as conscious choices from consumers. Solutions include:
For Industry:
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Shift to renewable energy sources in production facilities to lower emissions.
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Develop closed-loop systems that recycle water and chemicals in dyeing processes.
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Replace petroleum-based synthetics with bio-based or recycled fibers.
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Reduce microfiber shedding through better fabric engineering and promote microfiber filters in washing machines.
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Invest in localized production models to reduce emissions from transportation.
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Implement sustainable certification systems and improve environmental transparency.
For Policymakers and Global Agencies:
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Introduce stricter wastewater discharge regulations in textile hubs.
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Incentivize low-carbon innovation in manufacturing.
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Establish global carbon pricing that includes fashion-related emissions.
For Consumers:
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Choose sustainable brands that prioritize low-impact materials and ethical production.
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Buy less, wear longer to reduce demand for fast fashion.
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Support secondhand, rental, or upcycling markets.
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Educate others on the hidden environmental cost of fashion.
Ocean acidification is not just a distant, underwater phenomenon—it reflects the consequences of choices we make every day, including what we wear. The fashion and textile industries are deeply interconnected with the climate crisis and marine degradation. While the problem is complex, solutions exist across production, policy, and consumption.
By transforming how fashion is made and valued, we can reduce emissions, protect ocean health, and build a more sustainable future. A collective effort from governments and brands to consumers and designers is essential. The time to act is now.
REFERENCES
- NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. (2025, June 5). Home – NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. https://oceanacidification.noaa.gov/
- A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning fashion’s future. (2017b, November 28). https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
- Special Report on Climate Change and Cities — IPCC. (n.d.). IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/special-report-on-climate-change-and-cities/
- Quest Impact Design Studio. (2025, May 28). Fashion on Climate – Global Fashion Agenda. Global Fashion Agenda. https://globalfashionagenda.org/fashion-on-climate/
- Nature Neuroscience offers open access publishing. (2022). Nature Neuroscience, 25(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-021-00995-2
- The Ocean Foundation. (2025, May 27). The Ocean Foundation – serving global ocean environments. https://oceanfdn.org/
- Materials Market Report 2023 – Textile Exchange. (2024, October 28). Textile Exchange. https://textileexchange.org/knowledge-center/reports/materials-market-report-2023/