How Materials Contribute to Global Warming: A Short, Eye-Opening Read

Have you ever held something in your hand — a bag, a phone case, a shoe — and wondered, “What did it take for this to exist?” Most of us don’t. We look at the colour, the quality, the price. But every material has a hidden world behind it… and that world has a climate impact. Let’s begin with something simple:

Carbon dioxide absorbs heat. Methane absorbs even more heat — over 25 times more.

When too much of these gases accumulate in our atmosphere, they trap heat like a thick blanket, leading to rising temperatures, extreme weather, melting ice caps, and disrupted ecosystems.

Where do these gases come from? Not just “pollution” in a vague sense — but from very real human activities:

• Factories releasing carbon as they mass-produce materials

• Fossil fuels burnt in huge quantities

• Forests cut down to make space for industries and livestock

• Waste from production rotting or burning into the air One product may look small and harmless… but the process behind it? That’s where the real story lies.

Everything Starts at the Source

If you follow the thread of any material back to its beginning, surprising truths appear.

Take traditional leather. The story doesn’t start in a shop; it starts on farmland. Cattle rearing releases methane — a greenhouse gas more heat-absorbing than carbon by a huge margin. Then comes deforestation to create grazing land, enormous water usage, and finally toxic tanning chemicals.

By the time a leather bag reaches your hands, its climate footprint is already written into the air.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

We often say, “We think for our kids. ”But if we truly cared about their future, we’d look deeper — at the materials we use, the industries we support, and the impact of everyday choices.

Because there is no Planet B. And the clock is ticking.

Choosing Better Materials

This is where Banether comes in: materials made from agricultural by-products, no livestock, no methane, no toxic tanning, no deforestation footprint. Just responsible, plant-based leather that looks good and feels good — without the hidden climate cost.

Your choices have power. Next time you buy something, consider the hidden cost — not just the one printed on the label.

A small shift today can shape a livable future tomorrow.