They are ubiquitous in the United States, controversial in Europe and coveted in South Asia. As heatwaves intensify across the world, air conditioning has taken center stage.
For better or for worse, these power-hungry appliances are among the most common adaptations to a warming world. They have become a necessary tool for the survival of millions, according to experts.
But while they bring immediate, life-saving relief, air conditioners come at a cost to the climate crisis because of their enormous energy requirements.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), out of the 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide that are emitted globally each year, air conditioning is responsible for emitting about one billion metric tons.
According to experts, this cycle can be broken by using more renewable energy sources, creating less energy-intensive air conditioners, and combining them with other cooling methods.
“There are some real purists who think that we can eliminate, but I just don’t think that’s feasible,” Robert Dubrow, a Yale epidemiologist who focuses on the health implications of climate change, told AFP.
According to a recent IEA paper Dubrow co-authored, having access to air conditioning already saves tens of thousands of lives annually, and that number is rising.
According to studies, those who live in homes with air conditioners see a reduction in the chance of dying from heat-related causes of death of roughly 75 percent.
Studies have emphasized the importance of air conditioning in safeguarding the populace in the United States, where nearly 90% of homes have AC, as well as the potentially catastrophic consequences of widespread power outages during heatwaves.
However, only around 15% of the 3.5 billion people who live in hot climes worldwide have air conditioners in their homes.
High prices and emissions
With rising temperatures and rising incomes, the approximately two billion air conditioners in use worldwide are expected to increase dramatically.
The three nations with the largest populations in the world—India, China, and Indonesia—will have some of the fastest growth.
According to a recent study, the percentage of Indian households using air conditioners could rise from 10 to 40% by the year 2050.
A country like Norway’s present total annual production would be equal to this rise in electricity use.
If India’s future grid uses the same amount of fossil fuels as it does now, it would result in an additional 120 million tons of carbon dioxide being released yearly, or 15% of the nation’s total emissions.
The issues brought on by more air conditioning don’t end there. Air pollution is also a result of operating power plants.
Fluorocarbon gases, which are typically used as refrigerants in air conditioners and have a warming effect thousands of times larger than CO2 when they escape into the atmosphere, are also commonly used.
Air conditioning also contributes to urban heat island effects by releasing hot air into the streets.
According to a 2014 study, heat from air conditioners in urban areas increased the mean air temperature at night by more than 1 degree Celsius (nearly 2F).
Access to air conditioning also creates a significant equity issue because of its expense.
Families may be forced to choose between cooling and other necessities after an installation due to the cost of the electricity bill.
“Complementary” approaches
Enrica De Cian, an environmental economist and professor at Ca Foscari University in Venice, believes that using AC is “an important strategy in certain conditions and in certain places.”
But, she continues, it’s crucial to incorporate it with “complementary” strategies.
First, by maintaining a steady increase in the generation of renewable energy and reducing the use of fossil fuels, so that the energy consumed by air conditioners produces less emissions.
Second, by creating and putting in place reasonably priced, energy-efficient air conditioners, which several businesses are working on. Although the IEA favors stricter efficiency requirements, it also suggests that air conditioners be set to a minimum temperature of 24C (75F).
Greater efficiency would reduce the risks of power outages associated with high demand in addition to decreasing emissions. Air conditioning can make up more than half of peak demand on hot days.
But more than anything, the experts stress the simultaneous necessity for spatial planning initiatives, such as additional parks and bodies of water, sun-reflecting walkways and roofs, and improved building insulation.
Dubrow stated, “We must achieve sustainable indoor cooling.”
The alternatives put out are “very feasible,” he continues. “Their implementation is a matter of political will.”