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If You Cared About The Planet, You’d Turn Up Your Thermostat
But you won’t, so you don’t
It is hard to believe that humans made it all the way until the year 1902 without air conditioning. Before that, people had to suffer through summer and mire through warm climates, with the use of cold drinks and hand fans. And yet, people endured. In fact, some might say they thrived. There was no air conditioning in the Roman Empire or the British Empire. Yet, today, if you suggest that someone tries to live without air conditioning or even turn up their thermostat, they act as though you have asked them to murder their firstborn child. Air conditioning has evolved from a luxury to a necessity. And it is killing the planet.
Air conditioning (and electric fans) account for 20% of all electricity in modern buildings and 10% of all global power consumption. As the world continues to develop and as populations continue to grow, the amount of power being consumed by AC is only going to grow. Already, electric grids in southern cities are struggling to keep up with demand during heat spells. But there is a simple solution to this problem. Turn up your damn thermostat.
According to Consumer Reports, Americans keep their air conditioners set to 71 F. That is downright chilly. And it is using god-awful amounts of energy. Consumers can save a ton of…
