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As temperatures rise and extreme heat events become more frequent, there has been an increase in the need for cooling solutions. However, paradoxically, our growing dependence on power-hungry air conditioning systems contributes further to global warming. What alternative approaches can we adopt instead?
In many p Laces, staying cool as temperatures rise isn’t merely about comfort—it can impact our well-being, work efficiency, and financial systems. and even our survival .
A n an increase of merely 1.5 degrees Celsius A increase of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial levels might expose 2.3 billion individuals to extreme heatwaves. Experts warn that this temperature surge could occur as soon as the early 2030s. If we don't reduce carbon emissions .
H Currently, extreme weather events lead to approximately 12,000 fatalities annually. By 2030, the World Health Organization estimates that this number could increase by at least an additional 38,000 deaths due to such occurrences. yearly because of heat exposure in older adults.
B Purchasing an air conditioner could seem like a fast and simple solution; however, these power-hungry devices are exacerbating the issue. Not only that: a ir conditioner s can leak damaging refrigerants that can also contribute to global warming.
"W e need to get out of this cycle," Lily Riahi from the United Nations Environment Program told . "The way we currently cool our homes and workplaces is a huge driver of climate change."
Cooling conundrum
In 2 024 — the warmest year ever recorded — Electricity demand increased almost twofold compared to the growth rate of the previous ten years, as per recent data from the International Energy Agency. The silver lining? Renewable sources accounted for 38% of this expansion, making up the biggest portion of the rise.
However, much of that electricity production still relies on fossil fuels. According to the IEA, over half of the global electricity supply comes from these sources. was supplied by coal in 2024 , with coal power increasing by almost 1%. A significant factor was air conditioning usage.
This confirmation was also found when analyzing the three biggest power markets globally. India According to the report from energy think tank Ember published in early March 2025, extreme heat episodes led to unprecedented levels of air conditioner usage, which boosted electricity consumption and strained power grids.
As global As temperatures, populations, and incomes increase in nations such as India and China, the global count of operational air conditioning units might leap from over 2.4 billion. by today to 5.6 billion by 2050, according to the IEA.
The agency Additionally, it predicts that without enhancements in efficiency, the demand for energy used in space cooling might increase threefold by mid-century—consuming an amount of electricity equivalent to what is currently consumed by both China and India combined.
Riahi , Who is also a worldwide coordinator for the Impressive Alliance network striving to enhance sustainable cooling solutions, said This situation will put immense strain on power grids and eventually impede attempts to achieve their objectives. climate targets .
" According to projections, by 2050, air conditioning alone could make up 30% to 50% of maximum electrical demand in numerous nations. Currently, this figure stands at around 15%, noted Riahi, adding that this increase may lead to widespread power outages.
How can this issue be addressed?
Air conditioning plays a crucial part in fostering prosperity and economic growth by enabling individuals in warm regions to reside and operate businesses comfortably. However, without significant improvements in making air conditioners far more environmentally friendly, the anticipated surge in their usage could present substantial challenges.
Riahi mentioned that there's insufficient awareness. around cooling alternatives , along with financial obstacles that hinder individuals from buying energy-efficient air conditioners. low-emission refrigerants.
Air conditioning doesn't necessarily have to be the most affordable option available. She stated, “The focus should be on designing our cities and structures with strategies that minimize the need for cooling from the outset. Additionally, this could involve developing methods to incentivize bringing highly efficient technology solutions into the marketplace.”
Cool Roofs in Informal Settlements
Enduring elevated temperatures while simultaneously controlling emissions necessitates more than just enhancing air conditioning efficiency. Installing external shading systems on buildings and incorporating green roofs Applying solar reflective paint, for example, can also help reduce the amount of heat they absorb. xpanding gr Even spacing out areas with water features and wind corridors within urban settings could also be beneficial.
In India, the Mahila Housing Trust operates is assisting individuals living in slums, where air conditioning is unaffordable, to maintain cooler residences. This group concentrates on inexpensive solutions like whitewashing heat-absorbing metal roofs, growing trees around houses for shading purposes, or constructing roofing from compacted bamboo mats that retain less warmth.
T rust director Bijal Brahmbhatt said just coating roofs in solar reflective paint can make indoor temperatures drop by up to 6 Celsius — a change r Residents mentioned that it felt nearly as refreshing as having an air conditioner.
The overall wellness has improved significantly. ," she said. " Productivity rose by 1 1/2 to 2 hours after lowering the temperature. Additionally, people managed to cut down their electricity expenses as they didn’t have to run fans anymore, she noted.
L essons from the desert
A Another initiative, set in the Egyptian desert where summertime temperatures can soar up to nearly 50°C, is likewise addressing the issue of heat. only by means of intelligent architectural planning .
Architect Sarah El- Battouty, the founder of the eco-friendly construction company ECOnsult, mentioned that they had succeeded in lowering building temperatures by approximately 10 degrees Celsius through non-mechanical methods.
Her company Has collaborated with the Egyptian authorities to enhance approximately 4,000 rural communities, which house around 58 million individuals, improving their ability to withstand intense heat. However, instead of implementing advanced technologies, El-Battouty mentioned that numerous eco-friendly modifications stemmed from traditional indigenous wisdom.
" These villages have endured because they possess an innate understanding of adapting to severe environments that dates back millennia," she stated. "We assess which of these approaches are practical and incorporate them [...] There’s no need to create something new from scratch.
That means using Locally sourced materials such as permeable limestone and sandstone were utilized to enable airflow through the walls. To avoid absorbing heat from beneath, they elevated buildings somewhat above the ground surface. Additionally, they incorporated darker entrances, fitted reflective rooftops, and employed sloped windows along with movable shades to keep out excess warmth while still permitting sunlight to filter in.
'The next frontier is cooling.'
El- Battouty stated that the architectural field requires a reassessment to ensure that structures are initially conceived with cooling solutions in mind.
As temperatures rise and summer lengths increase, more individuals will seek out solutions such as air conditioning. ," she said. "W We must also examine whether the housing sector is designed to reduce heat or not?
The importance of housing in combating heat should also receive greater attention at events such as the yearly gathering. UN climate change conference , added El-Battouty.
It's crucial to view cooling as equally vital — on par with renewable and clean energy sources. Addressing cooling represents the next major challenge.
Edited by: Jennifer Collins
Updated, March 24, 2025: The article has been revised to include the most recent data on power usage and refrigeration requirements provided by the International Energy Agency and Ember.
Author: Natalie Muller, Neil King
