Three Cheers For Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
The world would be a miserable place without cooling equipment
Fall officially arrives on September 23 this year, and I can hardly wait. For those of us living in the Southwest U.S., it’s been a miserably hot summer. Residents of Phoenix, Arizona, for example, suffered through 31 consecutive days of temperatures reaching or exceeding 110°F. Nighttime brought scant relief, as temperatures seldom dropped below 90°, and even hopping in the swimming pool didn’t help, as water temperatures hovered around 100°.
That is why I hold a deep appreciation for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment (and the people who install and service it) and wish that everyone in the world had access to these life-changing systems. However, this viewpoint contrasts with those who argue that the advantages of air conditioning and refrigeration might not outweigh the environmental harm they pose. For example, critics argue that refrigerants contribute to global warming when they leak, and they claim that growing demand for air conditioning around the globe will increase carbon emissions, as well as strain electrical grids.
But just stop and think about where we would be without reliable air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. First and foremost, the absence of dependable air conditioning would fundamentally change how we live during the sweltering summer months in many parts of the world. Our homes, workplaces, and public spaces would become unbearable, subjecting us to stifling heat and excessive humidity. Sleepless nights and reduced productivity would become the norm, affecting our physical and mental health.
In addition to affecting our comfort, the lack of climate control could pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as senior citizens. A notable illustration of this occurred during France's 2003 heatwave. In a nation with limited access to air conditioning, a consecutive two-week period of temperatures soaring to 111° led to over 15,000 deaths, predominantly among the elderly population.
A world without reliable refrigeration equipment would also lead to serious problems, potentially ushering in an era of food scarcity and waste. Industries that rely on temperature-sensitive processes, such as food storage and pharmaceuticals, would face insurmountable challenges that could lead to supply chain disruptions and compromised product quality. Indeed, without refrigeration, fresh produce, dairy, and meats would spoil quickly, and food safety concerns would intensify, which could lead to widespread health hazards.
Additionally, vital medical supplies that require refrigeration, such as vaccines and certain medications, would lose their efficacy, endangering public health on a global scale. Without refrigeration, our ability to feed ourselves and maintain critical health services would be severely compromised.
For these reasons, I am firmly in the camp of more air conditioning and refrigeration is always better. Of course, I agree that these systems should be made to leak less and be as energy efficient as possible. Manufacturers should also continue to innovate and make these systems more accessible to those who can least afford them.
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Granted, there are distinct challenges in developing countries, which often lack reliable electricity and well-established comfort cooling and cold chains. But new technologies are being developed, and hopefully, these innovations will not only ease pressure on power grids but also be affordable and accessible to everyone. This accessibility could significantly improve the lives of many who currently lack reliable air conditioning and refrigeration.
A good example of air conditioning being used to improve lives is in Phoenix, where the city recently installed air-cooled, converted shipping containers to house homeless individuals. The XWing modular shelter unit consists of four, 40-foot steel converted shipping containers, designed in the shape of an 'X'. They can sleep up to 20 people in private 5-by-8-foot rooms and include central air conditioning that operates via solar power during the day and battery power at night.
That’s a great solution for Phoenix – and could be elsewhere as well -- because even though the calendar says it’s fall, it doesn’t mean cool temperatures have arrived. Temperatures in September – and sometimes well into October – can still reach 100°F or more, which means Southwest residents will be relying on their air conditioners to keep them cool a little while longer.
