New tech can make air-conditioning less harmful to the planet
The key is energy efficiency
In many parts of the world, the cool blast of an air-conditioner on a hot day is nowadays seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. Climate change is tipping the balance. Average global temperatures are now roughly 1.2°C higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution: by mid-century they are projected to be about 2°C higher. Air-conditioning (AC) use, correspondingly, is set to soar. By one estimate, the number of room-cooling ACs could nearly triple between now and 2050.
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This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Cold comfort”
From the September 7th 2024 edition
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