Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: Fur: Real, fake, or nothing? Since man first put on clothes people have worn fur, first and foremost because it's very warm. Over the centuries, fur became exclusive and by the sixteenth century it was seen as a luxury textile. At that time, it was worn on the inside as a lining for coats, with only a little trim visible. The fur industry has hit back at animal rights campaigners, stating that real fur is much more environmentally friendly than fake fur. Young women started wearing real fur again in recent years, inspired by celebrities and fashion icons who embraced it on the red carpet and in high fashion, even as the ethical debate over its use continues to divide opinion. In the line, "The fur industry has hit back at animal rights campaigners, stating that real fur is much more environmentally friendly than fake fur," the phrase "hit back" means: