Global warming and climate change. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they aren't the same.
Global warming specifically refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change, however, encompasses global warming but also includes other changes in climate patterns. Shifts in precipitation, seasonal changes, and more extreme weather events are all hallmarks of climate change. (1)
Although they are both vital to consider regarding the health and longevity of our planet, understanding their difference matters, too, especially in the fight for sustainability.
Recognizing there's a distinction can help shape more effective environmental policies. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial, addressing climate change also requires considering other strategies for assisting communities affected by changes in weather patterns and other climate-related impacts.
Clear understanding helps in educating the public about the complexities of climate science.
Many people may only associate climate change with temperature rises. This point of view doesn't acknowledge other significant impacts that occur due to changing climate systems.
Many countries focus on combating global warming, but addressing climate change requires global collaboration on various fronts, such as conservation and waste prevention, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development.
Sustainability is our specialty at ecoHiny! Our production practices are part of the solution to help reduce the negative impacts of climate change and global warming.
Here's a breakdown of the climate issues our Earth is currently facing and what we can do as consumers to help mitigate potentially disastrous effects in the future.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to significant and long-lasting changes in the Earth's climate, primarily driven by both natural processes and human activities.
Causes include:
-
Greenhouse gas emissions
-
Industrial processes
-
Agriculture practices
-
Waste management
-
Urbanization
-
Natural occurrences (such as volcanic eruptions and variations in the Earth's orbit)
Organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration track the effects of these processes on things like global temperature changes, sea ice levels, and carbon dioxide emissions.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, indicate that the heating influence of all greenhouse gases has increased by 49% since 1990.
Their records also show an all-time high in global averages of carbon dioxide in 2023. 2023 also marked the 12th year in a row that the amount of carbon dioxide increased by more than two parts per million
Since 1980, the amount of sea ice, ice that floats on the ocean's surface, that survives the summer in the Arctic Ocean, has declined by 13.1 percent per decade; additionally, Earth's surface temperature has risen 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1880. The rate of warming has more than doubled since 1981. (6)
Tackling the root causes of climate change as an individual means being mindful of how our purchases and lifestyle actions can affect those factors. ecoHiny offers eco-conscious consumers a simple way to incorporate sustainability into a household staple.
When you choose ecoHiny, you're choosing a completely tree-free product.
The harmful effects of deforestation are detrimental to our environment as clearing forested lands for agriculture, housing, and the paper industry increases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in our atmosphere. The more trees we lose, the less carbon dioxide gets absorbed by photosynthesis. (2)
ecoHiny's only ingredient is bamboo. No hardwood trees are ever harvested for the production of our toilet paper.
This fact is significant due to the number of trees wasted each year by the traditional toilet paper industry. Nearly 270,000 trees are flushed on a daily basis worldwide (3); it's a lot of waste that ecoHiny aims to help eliminate!
What's also exciting is bamboo's ability to sequester carbon. It tends to have a carbon sequestering ability greater than or at least equal to many tree species. (4)
Just by growing the material for our product, ecoHiny helps lower amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere!
Add bamboo's incredibly fast growth rate and ability to regrow out of its existing root systems, and it proves to be one of the most sustainable substances available. It's optimal for toilet paper production and ecoHiny's secret weapon against environmental harm.
Overall, bamboo is an effective and sustainable way to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
What is Global Warming?
Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases.
It is a significant aspect of climate change, which, as we mentioned before, also includes shifts in weather patterns and extreme weather events.
The causes of global warming are linked directly to the same causes of climate change.
Those causes are contributing to an overall rise in our planet's temperatures. In fact, NOAA cites 2023 as the hottest year on record since they began measuring in 1850, with the ten warmest years all occurring in the last decade. (7)
Once again, ecoHiny stands as a sustainable solution for going up against global warming.
Because we only use bamboo, not only does ecoHiny save trees and supplement carbon sequestering, but we also eliminate the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Pesticides and fertilizers, which contain toxic chemicals, also release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
When nitrogen, a key ingredient in most fertilizers, is released into the soil, chemical reactions cause it to release nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent in warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide! (5)
Because bamboo is naturally resistant to pests and disease, it doesn't require these harmful substances to thrive.
The Effects of Global Warming & Climate Change
The effects of global warming and climate change are far-reaching, affecting the environment, human health, economies, and social systems.
Melting Arctic & Polar Ice
The Earth's average temperature is increasing due to the excess of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere.
The Arctic and Antarctic regions contain vast ice sheets and sea ice. As temperatures rise, the ice begins to melt. In the Arctic, this is primarily observed in the sea ice.
As ice melts, it contributes to rising sea levels. This is particularly concerning for coastal communities and ecosystems, increasing the risk of flooding and erosion.
The melting ice impacts Arctic wildlife and ecosystems. Species like polar bears, seals, and penguins rely on ice for hunting, breeding, and protection. As their habitats shrink, their populations face decline.
Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events are increasingly linked to climate change and global warming.
As global temperatures rise due to greenhouse gas emissions, the atmosphere can hold more moisture. This increase in heat can lead to more intense heatwaves.
Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can result in heavier rainfall during storms. This intensified precipitation can lead to flooding, especially in regions already prone to heavy rain.
While some areas experience increased rainfall, others may suffer from prolonged dry spells.
Changes in rainfall patterns can lead to drought conditions, affecting water supply and agriculture and increasing the risk of wildfires.
Warmer ocean temperatures fuel more powerful tropical storms and hurricanes. Increased heat provides more energy to these systems, resulting in greater wind speeds and more rainfall.
Health Issues
Climate change and global warming pose significant risks to public health through various means. These include respiratory problems from poor air quality, the increased spread of infectious diseases, and heat-related illnesses.
Rising temperatures can intensify the formation of ozone, a harmful air pollutant. Higher ozone levels can lead to increased respiratory issues, including asthma and other chronic lung diseases.
Climate change and global warming can extend the growing seasons of plants that produce allergens. Higher concentrations and longer pollen seasons can lead to increased allergic reactions and respiratory issues.
As global temperatures rise, the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves increase.
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can result in heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The elderly and young children, or those with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly susceptible to heat-related issues.
Social and Economic Impacts
Natural disasters due to climate change and global warming can cause significant economic losses. Industries, infrastructure, and job markets all experience impacts when a disaster strikes an area.
Changes in weather patterns can affect agricultural productivity, which can lead to food shortages and increased prices. Sadly, this disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, leaving individuals without proper nutrition and sustenance.
When resources are scarce due to climate change and global warming, it can result in conflicts and displacement. Prolonged scarcity leads to humanitarian crises and challenging social structures.
How Small Choices Add Up
The impacts of switching to sustainable products to reduce deforestation and waste are considerable.
We also encourage you to:
-
Use sustainable transportation
-
Opt for locally sourced food
-
Mind your energy use
-
Reduce plastic waste
-
Pick non-toxic products
-
Help spread awareness; be a planet advocate!
Also, consider how choosing to purchase from businesses that prioritize sustainability can encourage more companies to adopt eco-friendly practices. Every dollar spent on a sustainable product supports practices that can lead to broader changes in industries.
Tree-free toilet paper & plastic-free packaging reduce climate impact, so that's why we suggest you choose ecoHiny. Every box of ecoHiny is a pro-planet purchase aiding in the battle against climate change and global warming.
Final Thoughts on Global Warming vs. Climate Change
Taking action is essential to mitigate the impacts of global warming and climate change for ourselves and future generations.
Environmental impact, health risks, and social and economic stability are all at risk. By keeping up with the latest research and developments about our environment, we can make more conscious choices in our daily lives.
Small actions, such as supporting sustainable brands, can collectively lead to significant impact. ecoHiny is a great example of a product that puts our planet first!
Make our eco-friendly toilet paper your top choice for supporting positive climate impact.
Our sustainable, tree-free toilet paper is a small but meaningful step toward sustainability and tackling the broader issues facing the planet.
-
"What's the difference between climate change and global warming?" nasa.gov, NASA, science.nasa.gov/climate-change/faq/whats-the-difference-between-climate-change-and-global-warming/.
-
"The Power of One Tree - The Very Air We Breathe." usda.gov, USDA, 17 Mar. 2015, www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/power-one-tree-very-air-we-breathe.
-
"Forests flushed down the toilet." Forests Forward, WWF, forestsforward.panda.org/?50660/Forests-flushed-down-the-toilet.
-
"Bamboo Production." drawdown.org, drawdown.org/solutions/bamboo-production.
-
"Four reasons why the world needs to limit nitrogen pollution." unep.org, UNEP, 16 Jan. 2023, www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/four-reasons-why-world-needs-limit-nitrogen-pollution.
-
"Global Climate Dashboard." climate.gov, NOAA, www.climate.gov/climatedashboard.
-
"2023 was the warmest year in the modern temperature record." climate.gov, 17 Jan. 2024, www.climate.gov/news-features/featured-images/2023-was-warmest-year-modern-temperature-record.
