All I have to say to Kelly Kasulis is “You first, chump, you first”
Climate change is making our planet hotter — but we might have to ditch the AC
Americans love air conditioning — and to a serious fault. At least three quarters of all homes in the U.S. have an air conditioner, according to the Department of Energy, and Americans consumes more energy for cooling alone than what the entire continent of Africa uses for all purposes combined.
That’s not without serious consequence. The burden of a high utilities bill aside, fossil fuel is ultimately being burned and converted into the electricity that’s chilling our homes this summer. As a result, an estimated 117 million extra metric tons of carbon dioxide is being pumped into the air solely because of U.S. air conditioning.
Now, a study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a disturbing new revelation: In a simulation of a three-month summer period, air pollution directly related to fossil fuel burning that powers air conditioning accounts for about 1,000 deaths. Even worse, that figure only covers the Eastern United States. And as climate change turns increasingly turns up the heat, the problem could get worse as more Americans compensate by further refrigerating themselves indoors. (snip)
Nevertheless, this issue is global. An estimated 35% of all air conditioners in the world are in China, and 10% of the planet’s energy consumption comes from these machines. Meanwhile, some climate models predict that the global temperature could increase by as much as 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. If that’s the case, it’s hard to imagine that those used to the luxury of air conditioning will simply forego their comfort. Energy-efficient air conditioners would help with damage control, but researchers ultimately believe our source of energy fundamentally needs to change.
In other words, this little Cultist is saying we should be forced to give up our air conditioning. Or, well, really, she’d probably be OK with keeping her own and forcing those black, brown, and yellow people in Africa and Asia not be allowed to get theirs.
Build nuke plants. Problem solved.
… and some climate models predict that the global temperatures won’t significantly increase at all.
Meh.
If the Earth warms 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 our descendants are in big trouble. But that’s their problem, right?
Sweetie, where I come from, that’s the difference between a temperate summer and a Bermuda high.
TEACH:
That must be what TEACH imagined the author was thinking because below was what was in the article.
No mention of forcing us to give up our air conditioning. Fake news!!
it’s hard to imagine that those used to the luxury of air conditioning will simply forego their comfort.
Maybe he thought this was it.
Makes perfect sense. Just like we had to give up DDT AFTER malaria was eradicated in Europe and North America. Just like we ban GM foods AFTER the US and Europe are well fed.
I’m old enough to remember the 1970s and the oil crisis, and President Nixon’s imposition of the 55 MPH speed limit, to save fuel. Yet never, even mentioned by the Patricians was that automobile air conditioners decreased fuel efficiency by about one mile per gallon when in use, and were a slight drag on the engine even when not in use. I knew, right then, that the Patricians didn’t give a rat’s ass about fuel efficiency, not if it required them to be uncomfortable.
Now, if they could have found a way to impose it only on the plebeians, that might have been different!
“If†the earth gets hit by a giant asteroid in 2100, our descendants are in big trouble…..