Keeping cool saves thousands of lives yearly, but at a cost of worsening global warming, experts say
Cooling from air conditioning saves lives—more than 5,000 a year in the United States alone—but it also heats up the planet and taxes our electrical grid, scientists say.
Air conditioning saves lives by providing relief from extreme heat, but experts warn that its widespread use is contributing to worsening global warming. In the United States alone, air conditioning has been credited with saving more than 5,000 lives annually. However, as the planet warms, heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to an increasing number of heat-related deaths worldwide.
According to the United Nations, approximately half a million people die each year from heat-related causes. The use of air conditioning has also led to a significant increase in electricity demand, with projections suggesting that cooling-related electricity consumption could triple in the coming years. Most of the electricity used for cooling comes from burning fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
To address this issue, some countries have implemented measures to regulate air conditioning usage, such as limiting the temperature settings in offices or mandating the shutdown of air conditioning on certain days in public buildings. Scientists and policymakers are working to find a balance between providing adequate cooling to prevent heat-related deaths and mitigating the negative impacts of air conditioning on the environment.
The Global Cooling Pledge, a global initiative to promote more efficient and equitable cooling solutions, is expected to meet in September in Singapore.
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