{
  "id": 5062793,
  "title": "Keeping cool saves thousands of lives yearly, but at a cost of worsening global warming, experts say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/keeping-cool-saves-thousands-of-lives-yearly-but-at-a-cost-of",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T10:13:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/keeping-cool-saves-thousands-of-lives-yearly-but-at-a-cost-of-worsening-global-warming-experts-say/article71419052.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air conditioning saves lives, but it also contributes to global warming, according to experts. In the United States, more than 5,000 lives are saved each year thanks to air conditioning, but this comes at a cost. As the planet warms, heat waves are becoming more common, leading to an increasing need for air conditioning worldwide. Scientists estimate that half a million people die annually from heat-related causes, making air conditioning a necessity for many. A study published in Nature Health reported that air conditioning saved nearly 58,000 lives in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020. However, the demand for electricity from cooling is expected to triple globally, according to the International Energy Agency and the United Nations Environment Programme. Most of the electricity for cooling comes from burning fossil fuels, which means air conditioning use is contributing to global warming. The United Nations projects that the amount of heat-trapping gas emitted from air conditioning use could rise from 4.5 billion to 7.2 billion tons over the next 25 years. This amount is nearly as much as the carbon pollution from the United States and Europe combined. Kai Chen, a Yale School of Public Health epidemiology professor, emphasized that while air conditioning is essential, it is not an ideal solution from a climate change perspective. In response to the global energy crisis caused by the Iran war, eight countries have implemented limits on air conditioning use to reduce electricity demand. Some countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Seychelles, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, have even mandated one day per week for public offices to switch off air conditioning. India has proposed similar limits. Experts from 75 countries and 250 cities are working to find a balance between providing adequate cooling to prevent heat-related deaths and mitigating the impact on climate change. The Global Cooling Pledge, which will convene in September in Singapore, aims to address this issue. Researchers use \"cooling degree days\" to measure the energy required to cool buildings during hot weather. In the U.S., cooling degree days have increased by 28% since 1990, with 2024 setting a record. Similarly, in Europe, cooling degree days have more than doubled since 1990, and air conditioning use has tripled in India and more than doubled in Southeast Asia. The study found that air conditioning saved an average of 5,267 lives annually in the U.S., but this benefit comes with overuse. Many northern states, such as Washington to Maine, had fewer than 10 lives saved per year due to air conditioning use. Chen noted that using more air conditioning than necessary does not save more lives but worsens climate change. Air conditioning in cities exacerbates the urban heat island effect and increases traditional air pollution. Additionally, many vulnerable populations lack access to or cannot afford air conditioning, making thermal comfort a matter of fairness. Lily Riahi, head of the cooling buildings and energy unit at UNEP, emphasizes that thermal comfort should not be a luxury in a warming world. She points to Singapore's comprehensive approach to cooling, which includes individual adaptation measures, early warning systems, and passive urban greenery solutions. These efforts have saved Singapore $35 million in energy costs annually. However, in extreme heat and humidity, even these measures may not be sufficient, and air conditioning may become necessary.",
  "summary": "A new study highlights the life-saving role of air conditioning",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Keeping cool saves thousands of lives yearly, but at a cost of worsening global warming, experts say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/keeping-cool-saves-thousands-of-lives-yearly-but-at-a-cost-of",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Keeping cool saves thousands of lives yearly, but at a cost of worsening global warming, experts say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/keeping-cool-saves-thousands-of-lives-yearly-but-at-a-cost-of-4718455",
        "published": "2026-08-31T21:20:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}