Keeping cool saves thousands of lives yearly, but at a cost of worsening global warming, experts say
Summary
Air conditioning saves thousands of lives each year by protecting people from heat, especially during heat waves that are becoming more common worldwide. However, air conditioning also increases carbon emissions because most of its electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, which worsens global warming.Key Facts
- Air conditioning saved nearly 58,000 lives in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020.
- Heat waves kill about 500,000 people globally each year.
- Electricity demand for cooling is expected to triple worldwide in the coming decades.
- Most cooling electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, releasing gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
- Carbon emissions from air conditioning are projected to rise from 4.5 billion to 7.2 billion tons over 25 years.
- This rise is nearly equal to the current carbon pollution from the U.S. and Europe combined.
- Some countries have limited air conditioning use in offices to save energy amid a global energy crunch.
- Experts from many countries are working on ways to increase cooling without increasing climate change, including the Global Cooling Pledge meeting.
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