Unfortunately, all that glitters is not gold. There is a reason why cashmere has always been considered a luxury material. To create the sweater you saw in the shop window and is so comfortable now that you’ve worn it, you need a quantity of fiber produced by as many as four goats. A single one produces only 100 grams. Virgin cashmere is the material with the highest environmental impact. One hundred times more than wool.
Cashmere wool production actually has a significant impact on the environment, particularly in the regions of Mongolia and China, which are the world’s largest producers of cashmere.
The increased demand for cashmere has led to a significant increase in the number of goats raised for their wool. This has several environmental effects. For starters, goats are known for their intensive grazing. Unlike other species, such as sheep, which tear up grass with their teeth, goats tear plants directly from the roots, preventing regeneration. As a result, large grazing areas are turning into barren desert land, a process known as desertification.
Additionally, goats produce more greenhouse gases than other wool-producing animals, such as sheep. This contributes to rising global levels of greenhouse gases and climate change.
The cashmere industry also impacts local wildlife. Increasing numbers of goats may lead to greater competition for resources with other species, pushing them towards extinction. One example is the snow leopard, a threatened species that lives in the same regions where cashmere goats are raised. Competition for food and space with goats is one of the factors that puts this species at risk.
Recognizing these issues, some companies and organizations are trying to promote more sustainable cashmere production practices. For example, there are efforts to encourage sustainable goat farming and responsible pasture management.
Furthermore, and this is the topic of this website, cashmere recycling is another strategy that certainly helps reduce the pressure on the production of new wool.
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