Let’s begin this discussion as many do: let’s discuss the weather. It’s starting to get warmer and that means it’s finally time to break out the shorts, rompers, tank tops, and sandals. Realizing that your wearable options for the year are looking bleak, you’ve probably determined that you’ll need to go shopping before summer comes in full force.

Now, let’s observe this phenomenon. Essentially, your choices as a consumer follow the weather. The job of clothing manufacturers and buyers, then, is to predict your purchasing behavior by anticipating the coming weather and preparing the right stock based on these predictions. Generally speaking, they can rely on the four seasons to come at approximately the same time each year and to approximately the same degree.

But what happens when the climate changes drastically, as has been the case recently? Basically, their predictions are wrong and their sales numbers have reflected this. When they can’t sell their winter clothing, they put garments on sale or clearance, cutting prices and losing money.

Naturally, this kind of loss for a company could lead to other cuts, such as jobs. At the same time, some of their other prices must go up because certain materials have gone down in supply to accompany an-ever growing demand for more clothing because the changing climate has interfered with the growing of the necessary raw materials.

It’s true, then. Climate change does not just hurt the environment, but the economy, and it is particularly tough on the fashion industry, which relies heavily on consumer behavior. The job of a buyer has always been risky, but with this added stress, it has become a more colossal challenge with a global economy resting on it.

The industry is hardly a mere victim, though. In fact, it contributes 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions by itself. While many recognize the use of certain materials as clearly detrimental to the environment, 80% of the footprint of an article of clothing comes from caring for it by washing, drying, or dry cleaning.

And then, of course, there is the waste. Massive quantities of clothing and textiles, especially from manufacturing excess, end up in landfills. Some retailers have responded by pushing forward clothing recycling campaigns, but this has proven to be difficult and largely ineffective.

The real answer is to create a truly minimalistic trend in fashion. This is identified as the “next big thing” frequently, and it never seems to actually take hold. But do you really need that much clothing? Admittedly, driving down demand for clothing will also potentially damage the industry. But it could also push the industry to take steps to more sustainably produce their products, or even respond to a new value for minimalism.

Regardless, the fashion industry and climate change are mutually at odds. It is, perhaps, time for those in fashion to consider how they can respond to climate change and its effects, not only for the earth’s sake, but for its own.