Well, I am officially part of the problem.

I regularly scour the clothing racks at The Gap, Old Navy, even Target for inexpensive (usually very, very inexpensive) versions of the latest fashions. In other words, I'm a sucker for "fast fashion" -- or clothes that are cheap, trendy, and destined to live in my closet for about six months.

Once I spy some cute (and totally unnecessary) bit of "fast" clothing, rarely do I hesitate before plunking down the $12.99 or thereabouts for it. In fact, I'll buy something mostly because it's "disposable." I'll wear it a few times. Then I'll donate it, and go out to buy more clothes.

For me, these sprees are fun and cost very little. But it turns out that they cost the environment a great deal.

According to a new report, [1] clothes -- particularly fast clothes -- are a major source of the carbon emissions responsible for global warming [1]. The report emphasizes that the global textile industry has to become eco-conscious and take steps to establish “sustainable clothing.”

One of the biggest problems is that fast fashion damages the environment in two ways -- producing the clothes, and then maintaining them. Making the clothes involves pesticides and pollutants, not to mention the fuel it takes to pack and ship the required materials and finished products to destinations around the world.

Caring for our garments is also taxing the environment. Machine washers and dryers account for 60 percent of the carbon emissions from during the life of one cotton T-shirt.

Now that I have a better understanding of the situation, I'll try to be less frivolous when I shop. And who knows? Maybe I'll save enough to splurge on some organically-grown eco-fashion.