One of the many effects of anthropocentric climate change felt by many around the globe is the tendency for certain places to experience more extreme temperatures. This change in extreme weather patterns has caused the hottest summers on record, as well as freezing winters. Take for example the heat waves all over Europe in the last summers or the 2021 snowstorm, known as The Great Texas Freeze (NCEI, 2023). Humanity must be prepared for more such events and find innovative ways to work with nature to find solutions that make us as comfortable as possible when facing these situations. At the same time, we must continue on the path of lowering emissions and working towards a sustainable future.
It is estimated that heating and cooling of spaces make up about half of all energy consumed on the earth (IRENA, n.d). Where does the energy for this come from? The majority of the energy used comes from non-renewable sources, contributing to more emissions. Conventional air conditioning units consume much energy, greatly increasing one’s energy bill, and using gases that can be harmful to the earth.
“…refrigerant vapours such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons which are greenhouse gases thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide if they leak into the atmosphere” (Peterson, 2022).
As the extreme temperatures increase, so will the demand for cooling. This REUTERS article mentions a technology that is energy efficient, sustainable, and effective at cooling down buildings in the hot months. The river Seine is being used as a source of natural air conditioning in Paris (Cimini, 2023). This so-called urban cooling system uses the cold river water to provide energy to cooling power stations. The cool water circulates through buildings in underground pipes (Cimini, 2023). More innovative solutions, that take sustainability aspects into account and the natural geography of a place, must be implemented all around the world.
Reference:
Cimini, A. (2023, September 4). Paris aims to expand urban cooling system that uses Seine River Water. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/paris-aims-expand-urban-cooling-system-that-uses-seine-river-water-2023-09-04/
The Great Texas freeze: February 11-20, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). (2023, February 24). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-texas-freeze-february-2021
Peterson, E. (2022, November 10). These air conditioner alternatives are cheaper – and better for the planet. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/air-conditioner-alternatives-cheaper-better-planet?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_video&utm_term=1_1&utm_content=31946_Paris_Seine_cool&utm_campaign=social_video_2023
Power to heat and cooling: Status . Status. (n.d.). https://www.irena.org/Innovation-landscape-for-smart-electrification/Power-to-heat-and-cooling/Status