As temperatures rise and extreme heat becomes more common, there has been an increase in the need for cooling solutions. However, paradoxically, our increased use of power-hungry air conditioning systems contributes further to global warming. What alternative approaches might be possible?
In many p Laces, staying cool as temperatures rise isn’t merely about comfort—it can impact our well-being, work efficiency, and financial systems. and even our survival .
A n an increase of merely 1.5 degrees Celsius A increase of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit compared to pre-industrial levels might expose 2.3 billion individuals to extreme heatwaves. Experts warn that this temperature boost could occur as soon as the early 2030s. If we fail to reduce carbon emissions .
H Currently, extreme weather events cause approximately 12,000 fatalities annually. By 2030, the World Health Organization estimates that this number could increase by at least an additional 38,000 deaths. yearly because of heat exposure in older adults.
B uying an air conditioner might be a quick and easy fix, but these energy-intensive appliances are only adding to the problem. Not only that: a ir conditioner s can leak damaging refrigerants that can also contribute to global warming.
"W e need to get out of this cycle," Lily Riahi from the United Nations Environment Program told Ainoti. "The way we currently cool our homes and workplaces is a huge driver of climate change."
Cooling conundrum
In 2 024 — the warmest year ever recorded — electricity demand surged to nearly double the growth rate of the last decade, according to the latest figures from the International Energy Agency. A spark of good news, however: the largest slice of that growth was supplied by renewable energy, at 38%.
But much of that electricity is still supplied by fossil fuels. The IEA said two-thirds of the world's electricity was provided by coal in 2024 , with coal power increasing by almost 1%. A significant factor was air conditioning usage.
That finding was also confirmed in an analysis of the world's three largest power markets, India According to the report from energy think tank Ember published in early March 2025, extreme heat episodes led to unprecedented levels of air conditioning usage. This surge significantly boosted electricity consumption, thereby straining power grid infrastructures.
As global As temperatures, populations, and incomes increase in nations such as India and China, the global count of operational air conditioning units might soar above 2.4 billion. by today to 5.6 billion by 2050, according to the IEA.
The agency Furthermore, it predicts that, should there be no enhancements in efficiency, the demand for energy used in space cooling might increase threefold by mid-century—consuming an amount of electricity equivalent to what is currently consumed by both China and India combined.
Riahi , who also serves as a global coordinator for the Awesome Alliance network striving to enhance sustainable cooling solutions, said This situation will put immense strain on power grids and eventually obstruct attempts to achieve climate targets .
" According to projections, by 2050, air conditioning alone could make up 30% to 50% of peak electrical demand in numerous nations. Currently, this figure stands at around 15%, as mentioned by Riahi. This increase could lead to widespread power grid issues.
What actions can be taken regarding this?
Air conditioning plays a crucial part in fostering prosperity and economic growth by enabling individuals in warm regions to reside and operate businesses comfortably. However, without significant improvements in making air conditioners environmentally friendly, the anticipated surge in their usage could present substantial challenges.
Riahi mentioned that there is inadequate awareness. around cooling alternatives , along with financial obstacles that hinder individuals from buying energy-efficient air conditioners. low-emission refrigerants.
Air conditioning doesn't necessarily have to be the most affordable option available. She stated, 'The focus should be on designing our cities and structures with strategies that minimize the need for cooling from the outset. Additionally, it could involve developing methods to incentivize bringing highly efficient technology solutions into the marketplace.'
Cool Roofs in Informal Settlements
Enduring elevated temperatures while simultaneously curbing emissions necessitates more than just enhancing air conditioning efficiency. Installing external shading systems on buildings and incorporating green rooftops Applying solar reflective paint, for example, can also help reduce the amount of heat they absorb. xpanding gr een spaces, areas with water and wind corridors in cities could help, too.
In India, the Mahila Housing Trust is working with people in slum communities who cannot afford ACs to help them keep their homes cool. The organization focuses on low-cost measures such as painting heat-trapping corrugated tin roofs white, planting trees near homes to provide shade or installing roofs made of compressed bamboo mats, which absorb less heat.
T rust director Bijal Brahmbhatt said just coating roofs in solar reflective paint can make indoor temperatures drop by up to 6 Celsius — a change r Residents mentioned that it felt nearly as refreshing as having an air conditioner.
The overall well-being has improved significantly. ," she said. " Productivity rose by 1 1/2 to 2 hours after the temperature was lowered. Additionally, people managed to cut down their electricity expenses as they didn’t have to rely on fans anymore, she noted.
L essons from the desert
A Another initiative, set in the Egyptian desert where summertime temperatures can soar up to nearly 50°C, is also addressing the issue of heat. only via intelligent architecture .
Architect Sarah El- Battouty, the founder of the eco-friendly construction company ECOnsult, mentioned that they had successfully decreased building temperatures by approximately 10 degrees Celsius through non-mechanical methods.
Her company Has collaborated with the Egyptian authorities to enhance approximately 4,000 rural communities, which house around 58 million individuals, improving their resilience against severe heat. However, instead of implementing advanced technologies, El-Battouty mentioned that numerous eco-friendly modifications drew inspiration from traditional indigenous wisdom.
" These communities have endured because they possess an innate understanding of adapting to severe environments, a skillset that has been honed over millennia," she explained. "By identifying which strategies prove effective, we incorporate them into our practices... There’s no need to recreate what already works well.
That means using locally available materials like porous limestone and sandstone that allow air to flow through the walls. They also lifted structures slightly off the ground to prevent heat being absorbed from below, added darkened entryways, installed reflective roofs and made use of angled windows and adjustable shading to block heat while allowing light to enter.
'Cooling is the next frontier'
El- Battouty said there needs to be a rethink in the architecture sector so that buildings are designed to address cooling from the start.
"The hotter it gets, the longer the summers, the more people will be looking at solutions like air conditioning ," she said. "W e have to question the housing sector itself. Is it built to mitigate heat or not?"
The role of housing in beating heat should also have a much bigger focus at events like the annual UN climate change conference , added El-Battouty.
"We have to look at cooling as something incredibly important — just as much as renewable and clean energy. Cooling is the next frontier."
Edited by: Jennifer Collins
Updated on March 24, 2025: The piece has been revised to include the most recent data on power usage and refrigeration requirements provided by the International Energy Agency and Ember.
Author: Natalie Muller, Neil King
EmoticonEmoticon