Finding clothing from local sources

Where the products that we purchase were originally produced is at the heart of the problem for many. It's become fashionable to think about our food purchases in terms of food miles, for example.

The concept behind food miles is basically a way of examining how far our food travels before it reaches our dinner tables.

The reason why some environmentalists suggest that this is important is because food that travels long distances is likely to have been transported by air, road or sea. To differing degrees, environmentalists see each of these methods of transport as having an effect on the planet in terms of pollution.

Is it time for us to start thinking about clothing miles too?

After all, our clothes are often transported over long distances too. Should we be taking this into account when purchasing our clothes?

Some suggest that we certainly should do. Buying items originally produced in the Far East, for example, may mean that the production costs are lower and that we pay less for the garments.

But what about the cost to the environment?

Those with concerns about developing countries of the world point out that if we stop buying clothes from poorer nations of the world then we could harm their development.

It's undoubtedly a difficult moral issue. Next time you buy an item of clothing, whether it be made from natural fibres or otherwise, you'll need to consider where you stand on the issue.

The decision that you'll need to take will be based on whether you feel that purchasing clothes from further away does more harm to the environment, or whether economic issues also need to be considered.