I just got back to the US from Europe, and I feel you!
Have you read Ministry of the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson? His first chapter vividly describes the suffering of people in Uttar Pradesh on a hot, wet day when there is a blackout and AC isn't available. It's frightening and meant to make real the need to stop climate change. But my immediate reaction was: Why in the world would we let it get this bad, even if temperatures rise--why not build more, reliable power and ensure AC is available? It is truly a life-saving technology, if combined with a reliable electrical grid, of course.
Wow, this really changed how I view AC and the urgency around spreading pro energy and pro AC messages. It was great meeting you at Progress. Thank you for writing this article!!
Great article - is there more information on the potential for passive cooling (trees to reduce urban heat island effect, painting rooftops white, better ventilation etc)?
"In countries where AC use is widespread, productivity can remain high even as the climate warms." And you pick the city state of Singapore as an example? In contrast to India? What next an elephant should learn about healthy eating habits from a mouse?
Also ACs are not magic they themselves will produce heat along with transporting heat from rooms to the outside making the environment hotter. This will impact the flora and fauna in the region. Not to mention the fact that in cities due to the urban heat island effect the dissipation of heat is even slower so you prolong the period for which public spaces are unusable if not completely stopping it.
Also productivity being the focus of this article is really telling. Also the choice of dragging India into this conversation is beyond me. Your entire argument is Europe is hot so it needs ACs and ran with it without a second thought. It's hot cause they built to trap heat and unlike North America with its detached housing/suburban sprawl until recently there was no need for efficient cooling and heating cause they had a functional system.
ACs might or might not be a solution in Europe with their tiny populations and relatively cooler climates. Suggesting that the majority of India should use ACs is just a recipe for ecological colapse.
Great article! I’ve also been curious to see the results from JPAL’s evaluations of Parametric heat insurance for outdoor workers as a potential adaptation mechanism that also addresses wage losses on hot days:
I think there may be a misunderstanding the definition of a heat pump in footnote 4. They are more efficient on a emissions front but an air source heat pump, used for cooling is just an “air conditioner”. It is not any more efficient than a conventional systems for cooling. Its is more efficient than electric or gas heating true but you cant use an AC for that purpose. Feels a bit like apples to oranges to me.
Interesting policy! I refuse any rewards, i only do it for the love of the refrigeration game. If you insist please buy someone a frozen treat for world refrigeration day this Friday.
I just got back to the US from Europe, and I feel you!
Have you read Ministry of the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson? His first chapter vividly describes the suffering of people in Uttar Pradesh on a hot, wet day when there is a blackout and AC isn't available. It's frightening and meant to make real the need to stop climate change. But my immediate reaction was: Why in the world would we let it get this bad, even if temperatures rise--why not build more, reliable power and ensure AC is available? It is truly a life-saving technology, if combined with a reliable electrical grid, of course.
Wow, this really changed how I view AC and the urgency around spreading pro energy and pro AC messages. It was great meeting you at Progress. Thank you for writing this article!!
This is the loveliest kind of comment to receive!
Great article - is there more information on the potential for passive cooling (trees to reduce urban heat island effect, painting rooftops white, better ventilation etc)?
"In countries where AC use is widespread, productivity can remain high even as the climate warms." And you pick the city state of Singapore as an example? In contrast to India? What next an elephant should learn about healthy eating habits from a mouse?
Also ACs are not magic they themselves will produce heat along with transporting heat from rooms to the outside making the environment hotter. This will impact the flora and fauna in the region. Not to mention the fact that in cities due to the urban heat island effect the dissipation of heat is even slower so you prolong the period for which public spaces are unusable if not completely stopping it.
Also productivity being the focus of this article is really telling. Also the choice of dragging India into this conversation is beyond me. Your entire argument is Europe is hot so it needs ACs and ran with it without a second thought. It's hot cause they built to trap heat and unlike North America with its detached housing/suburban sprawl until recently there was no need for efficient cooling and heating cause they had a functional system.
ACs might or might not be a solution in Europe with their tiny populations and relatively cooler climates. Suggesting that the majority of India should use ACs is just a recipe for ecological colapse.
AC in India is as much survival technology as much heater in North America in Winter
Incredible that such muddled thinking has such an audience.
Great article! I’ve also been curious to see the results from JPAL’s evaluations of Parametric heat insurance for outdoor workers as a potential adaptation mechanism that also addresses wage losses on hot days:
1. https://www.povertyactionlab.org/initiative-project/insuring-against-extreme-heat-randomised-evaluation
2. https://www.povertyactionlab.org/initiative-project/take-and-impacts-parametric-insurance-labor-supply-under-climate-change
I think there may be a misunderstanding the definition of a heat pump in footnote 4. They are more efficient on a emissions front but an air source heat pump, used for cooling is just an “air conditioner”. It is not any more efficient than a conventional systems for cooling. Its is more efficient than electric or gas heating true but you cant use an AC for that purpose. Feels a bit like apples to oranges to me.
Yes, you're right; that was unclear on phrasing. Happy to provide a small bug bounty because I wasn't clear that they are only more efficient if you need year-round climate control: https://www.laurenpolicy.com/p/announcing-a-bug-bounty-for-this
Interesting policy! I refuse any rewards, i only do it for the love of the refrigeration game. If you insist please buy someone a frozen treat for world refrigeration day this Friday.
I live in London and we may have an all time high this week; I shall find someone to buy a frozen treat for.