GREEN INTERN
As the planet continues to heat up because of global warming, extreme heat waves have become more frequent and more lethal in parts of the world, causing devastating wildfires, sudden deaths and increased hospitalization. Recently, Canada smashed its all-time temperature record with 49.60C (121.3 0F) in Lytton, British Columbia. Amid this unprecedented heatwave, dozens of Canadians have been reported dead, likewise in Portland and Seattle, where temperatures reached 47 0c (116 F) and 420c (108 F), respectively. There have also been predictions of severe heat waves in Australia for the coming weeks.
In this unprecedented season with record-shattering temperatures, air conditioning has become essential to human survival. Governments in affected regions now have to build more cooling stations to cater for their populations, not to mention the significant increase in the purchase of household air conditioner units. According to available data, the numberof British Columbia homes that own air conditioners have tripled since 2001, from just 10% to 60% in 2017 and still rising. As we experience this rapid shift towards air conditioning, I think it is critical to spotlight its influence on climate change while also noting the potential impact on the environment, in the case of increased usage. Based on predictions, the use of air conditioners worldwide is expected to multiply fivefolds by 2050.
Although, heating buildings is still a larger overall contributor to climate change than air conditioning because more people use heat for more hours to cook and warm the body during very cold seasons. However, air conditioning heats the planet in very subtle ways that are going to be harder to address. Because air conditioners cool buildings by moving heat from inside to outside, they are capable of pumping out enough heat to warm a city by a few degrees, which means on sizzling days temperature can become even warmer with air conditioning systems on.
Aside from the fossil fuel burned to power air conditioners, they are able to produce cool air by utilizing chemical refrigerants which have been proved to be a thousand times more powerful at trapping heat than CO2 - refrigerants such as; Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). When we get rid of our old air conditioners, most of these chemical refrigerants leak out and evaporate. While only small overall amounts leak out, it warms the earth about 60% extra on top of the CO2 released to run the air conditioners; and as the earth gets a lot warmer, we use more air conditioners which heat the earth even more. It becomes a continuous vicious cycle that only gets worse as developing nations get richer and more people acquire air conditioners.
To avoid immense global impact in the future, we need to use the most efficient air conditioners, guarantee that manufacturers produce air conditioners that use refrigerants with zero ozone layer depletion potential. When we dispose of old air conditioners, the refrigerants must be recycled or destroyed instead of leaving them to leak out and ensure that the electricity that is used to power air conditioners come from a renewable source. We must also limit the use of air conditioners, which I believe can be achieved by using electric fans until it gets too hot; constructing buildings that are naturally cooler - buildings with green roofs that reflect, insulate and evaporates heat; buildings with rooms that have windows in opposite sides, so air can easily flow through; buildings with walls that can trap heat without letting it inside and then releases it at night.
Moving forward, governments need to fund and support innovative technologies on carbon capture. As well as,air conditioners can capture CO2 from the air and convert it to energy to power homes. These technologies already exist, it only require support and funding.
Finally, the earth is warm, and we need air conditioners to survive and stay healthy, but it is important we take note not to kill ourselves while trying to keep cool.