A Billion New Air Conditioners Will Save Lives But Cook The Planet

 A Billion New Air Conditioners Will Save Lives But Cook The Planet:         

New blog   may 2023

        

Demand for air conditioners is surging in markets where both incomes and temperatures are rising

Summer in India has always been hot.

 Increasingly, it's testing the limits of human survival.    

As temperatures have climbed across the world's most populous nation in recent weeks, more than a dozen people died at an event in central part of the country and thousands crowded hospitals with heatstroke symptoms.

   Hundreds of schools were closed and the mercury is still rising: Temperatures will hover around 45C (113F) across the northern plains this weekend.

The most immediate fix is mercifully affordable, at least in the short-term. Demand for air conditioners is surging in markets where both incomes and temperatures are rising, populous places like India, China, Indonesia and the Philippines. By one estimate, the world will add 1 billion ACs before the end of the decade. The market is projected to nearly double before 2040.

_That's good for measures of public health and economic productivity; it's unquestionably bad for the climate, and a global agreement to phase out the most harmful coolants could keep the appliances out of reach of many of the people who need them most.

The development has far-reaching consequences for public health, wellbeing and economic growth. Purchasing an AC is a pivot away from poverty for individuals and for their communities. People in hotter countries, which also tend to be poorer ones, suffer from worse sleep and impaired cognitive performance, both of which drag on productivity and output.

In a study looking at thousands of factories with different cooling arrangements, researchers found that productivity fell by around 2% for every degree Celsius increase.

In Delhi's working-class neighborhoods, these debates are abstractions. For many, access to an AC is a matter of survival. Piyu Haldar, who works as a maid, said her shanty turns into a furnace in the summer. The tin roof gets hot enough to cook roti on it. Before sleeping, Haldar and her husband used to splash water on their bed to cool down the room.

As usual in some states of India especially,

In Delhi's working-class neighborhoods, these debates are abstractions. For many, access to an AC is a matter of survival. Piyu Haldar, who works as a maid, said her shanty turns into a furnace in the summer. The tin roof gets hot enough to cook roti on it.

For India, the challenge is to implement cleaner technology before millions of new consumers purchase the dirtier ACs, locking in their use for another decade. Last year, the country logged some of its hottest weeks since 1901. Brutal heatwaves pushed temperatures to 50C (122F) on the subcontinent. The worst stretches killed hundreds of people, led to hours-long power outages and even caused a giant landfill on the outskirts of India's capital to spontaneously combust.

For India, the challenge is to implement cleaner technology before millions of new consumers purchase the dirtier ACs, locking in their use for another decade. Last year, the country logged some of its hottest weeks since 1901. Brutal heatwaves pushed temperatures to 50C (122F) on the subcontinent. The worst stretches killed hundreds of people, led to hours-long power outages and even caused a giant landfill on the outskirts of India's capital to spontaneously combust.

some major concern..

Research has indicated that there can be occurrences of unexplained sluggishness in people who have air conditioners in their homes or offices. This will often occur in environments where the air-conditioning is set at a very low-temperature. Try to get out of the air conditioning regularly and consider setting it at a higher temperature level if you experience this.

Headaches can be a common issue with people who spend a lot of time in air conditioning. As the environment tends to be dry, people can experience dehydration. When the fluid levels in the body are below optimal levels, the brain can temporarily contract or shrink as a consequence, triggering a pain response in the membrane surrounding the brain. There is also the possibility of dehydration causing a reduced blood flow to the brain that can then cause a reaction.

Respiratory Issues

People who are spending a substantial amount of their time in air-conditioned spaces tend to experience more upper respiratory symptoms, particularly in their nose and throat, when compared to people who have less time in air-conditioned spaces. These symptoms will usually include nasal blockages, dry throat, or rhinitis. Rhinitis is when the mucous membrane inside the nose is irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of rhinitis can include sneezing, a runny nose, and the build up of excessive mucous in the back of the nose and throat.

Just remember!!!!

excessive and unnecessary use of A.C. causes a global problem of high temperature in the long run. This will force humans to remain inside and will also cut them off from all human contact.

By IKHLAQ AHMED .