• Male hands holding magnifying glass over a piece of paper
    Fact-check,  Understanding Science

    What’s the Difference Between Science and Propaganda?

    I spend way too much time on social media platforms. I often come across various forms of propaganda and disinformation, especially about climate change. Bots create some of these posts. Likely bad actors produce others, and some come from people who genuinely can’t distinguish between science and propaganda. Science and propaganda are very different in their purpose, method, and intent. Here’s a comparison to make these differences clearer: Science Science aims to understand the natural world by observing, experimenting, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Scientists follow the scientific method: they form a hypothesis, conduct experiments, analyze data, and reach conclusions. They focus on being objective, making sure others can…

  • Manhattan buildings and traffic.
    About EcoNana

    The Next Chapter of My Journey

    The next chapter of my journey dates back to 1982. We moved to New York City for my husband’s work. Even though I grew up in a pretty big city and had lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, Manhattan was a complete shock. On our first day there, someone broke into our car. Welcome to our new home! We rented an apartment in doctors’ housing. When I opened the door, I found a giant pile of dirt and debris on the floor. The view from the 9th floor might have been nice—if the windows weren’t too dirty to see out of. I burst into tears. I wanted to go…

  • Photo of rainforest destruction in Borneo.
    Deforestation,  Endangered Species,  Human Impact,  Palm Oil

    Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It

    I always dreamed of seeing orangutans in the wild. I knew that they are probably the most intelligent of all the great apes because of their ability to innovate and problem-solve. However, problems with palm oil production greatly threaten their habitat. In 2007, I finally scraped together the money to travel to Borneo. Little did I know, at 53 years old, I would find my passion. My Journey Begins When I landed in Jakarta, beginning my journey to Borneo, a suffocating haze greeted me. My eyes burned, my throat grew raspy, and smoke clung to my clothing and hair. I quickly learned the cause: illegal fires, set intentionally to clear…

  • climate change, low angle view Thermometer on blue sky with sun shining in summer show increase temperature, concept global warming
    Climate,  Understanding Science

    How are “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” Different?

    Social media spreads a lot of false information about climate change. This really confuses people and slows down progress on environmental solutions. Some people post claims that deny climate change or push strange theories, like saying secret projects cause natural disasters. One common myth is that “they” changed from “global warming” to “climate change”. This is false. “Global warming” means the Earth’s temperatures are getting higher. This is because more greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are building up in the atmosphere. “Climate change” includes global warming but also covers other big changes happening to our planet, like sea levels going up, glaciers and ice sheets getting smaller. Other major changes…

  • It was hotter 56 million years ago
    Climate,  Fact-check,  Understanding Science

    Fact-checking Series No. 2: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    Welcome back to my Fact-Checking Series! In this episode, we’re digging into some of the biggest myths about climate change. You’ve probably heard people say things like, ‘The climate has always changed,’ or ‘Humans can’t really make a difference.’ Well, today we’re going to break those myths apart and show you what the science really says—clear, simple, and straight to the point. Changes in Earth’s Magnetic Field Are Causing Global Warming Some people say Earth’s magnetic field is causing climate change. Sounds mysterious, right? But here’s the truth: the magnetic field’s main job is protecting us from harmful solar radiation—it doesn’t control Earth’s temperature. Scientists have dug deep into this…

  • UCLA entrance sign
    About EcoNana

    Eco Nana Begins: One Small Step for a Grandma…

    It’s a long story! It’s been a long journey to explain how I decided to start Eco Nana. Believe it or not, it all started when I went to UCLA as a German major. I loved learning languages and dreamed of working as an interpreter at the United Nations. By my junior year, though, I realized I wasn’t quite like the other German majors. There were only 12 of us left, and I was the only one who didn’t grow up in a German-speaking household. I had been fascinated by German because my best childhood friend spoke it at home, and I never knew what they were saying! That inspired…

  • CO2 molecule with a carbon atom in the middle and 2 oxygen atoms.
    Climate,  Fact-check,  Understanding Science

    Unmasking CO₂ Myths: The Science You Need to Know

    Welcome to the third part of my Fact-Checking Series, where I dig into myths about carbon dioxide and clear up misunderstandings about climate. Carbon dioxide, or CO₂, is an invisible gas that is all around us in the air. It’s made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. People and animals breathe it out when we exhale, and plants take it in to help them grow through a process called photosynthesis. CO₂ is also a strong greenhouse gas, which means it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Without CO₂, our planet would be too cold for us to live. While this is natural and important for life, too…

  • Image showing the difference between weather and climate.
    Climate,  Understanding Science

    What’s the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

    You’re not alone if you don’t know the difference between the two. It’s a very common question! Weather and climate are related, but they are not the same thing. Weather is what’s happening outside right now or over a short period, like a day or a week. It includes things like temperature, rain, wind, or snow. Is it sunny or cloudy out today? That’s also weather. Climate, on the other hand, is the average weather in a place over a long time, usually 30 years or more. For example, it might rain a lot in one week (that’s weather), but if an area usually gets lots of rain year after…