COLD WINTER WARM WINTER

This book is part of the BE GREEN HEROES campaign, a global effort to combat misinformation about textile sustainability and promote science-based discourse on environmental responsibility.

Few realize that weather-related causes account for about 10% of global deaths, with nearly 90% linked to cold. Despite being overlooked, cold exposure remains one of the most persistent and underestimated threats to human health. While the elderly, infants, and underserved communities face higher risks, even healthy adults can suffer frostbite, hypothermia, or, in extreme cases, death. This underscores the importance of understanding how the body reacts to cold and the vital role thermal textiles play in protection.

In cold climates, people often rely on instinctive ways to stay warm. But these habits rarely eliminate risk or ensure true efficiency. Many overcompensate with heavy layering or bulky garments, driving up living costs and increasing environmental strain through excessive material use. Since cold-weather gear requires far more resources and chemicals than seasonal alternatives, its footprint is significantly greater, making smart design, optimized production, and judicious consumption all the more critical.

Whether you live in or travel to cold regions, or work in the apparel sector, this book provides a clear, practical guide to achieving cold protection with minimal environmental impact. Inside, you'll find actionable strategies and scientific insight to support safer, smarter, and more sustainable decisions.