How Air-Conditioning Conquered America
16Digest
This podcast delves into the complex relationship between air conditioning and climate change. It begins by introducing the topic and highlighting the paradoxical role of air conditioning in both addressing and hindering climate change. The episode then explores the personal experience of Emily Bajer with air conditioning, growing up in Chicago without it and then experiencing its saturation in Florida. The podcast then examines the profound impact of air conditioning on our lives, shaping where people live, how houses are built, and even our skylines. While it has improved our quality of life, it has also created a detachment from the environment. The episode then takes a historical journey, describing how buildings were designed differently before air conditioning, with features like thick walls, raised structures, and cross ventilation to combat heat. Fewer people lived in hot climates due to the lack of temperature control. The podcast then explores the origins of air conditioning, starting with Willis Carrier's invention in 1902 to solve industrial problems related to humidity and temperature control. It traces the evolution of air conditioning from industrial use to theaters, cars, offices, and eventually homes. The affordability and accessibility of window units led to its widespread adoption. However, the episode highlights the unsustainable energy consumption and environmental impact of widespread air conditioning use. It also creates a vulnerability to power outages and extreme heat events. The podcast explains how air conditioning contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to the energy required to power it. Buildings designed for air conditioning are often energy inefficient. The episode discusses the dangers of relying on air conditioning, particularly during power outages or extreme heat events. People who have become accustomed to air-conditioned environments are vulnerable when it fails. The podcast explores potential solutions to reduce our reliance on air conditioning, including increased efficiency, renewable energy sources, and rediscovering traditional building techniques. Finally, the episode emphasizes the need for individual behavioral changes, such as adjusting thermostat settings and embracing discomfort, to reduce air conditioning use. It argues for a cultural shift in our perception of comfort, moving away from a dependence on artificial temperature control.
Outlines
The Paradox of Air Conditioning
This episode explores the complex relationship between air conditioning and climate change, examining its impact on our lives, the environment, and the need for a cultural shift in our perception of comfort.
Air Conditioning's Impact on Our Lives and the Built Environment
The episode discusses how air conditioning shapes where people live, how houses are built, and even our skylines. It has improved our quality of life but also created a detachment from the environment.
The Unsustainable Reliance on Air Conditioning
The episode highlights the unsustainable energy consumption and environmental impact of widespread air conditioning use. It also creates a vulnerability to power outages and extreme heat events.
Moving Beyond Air Conditioning Dependence
The episode explores potential solutions to reduce our reliance on air conditioning, including increased efficiency, renewable energy sources, and rediscovering traditional building techniques. It also emphasizes the need for individual behavioral changes and a cultural shift in our perception of comfort.
Keywords
Air Conditioning
A system that uses technology to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of air in enclosed spaces. It has become ubiquitous in modern life, impacting building design, urban development, and energy consumption.
Climate Change
A long-term shift in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. It is leading to increased temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Gases released into the atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to climate change. Major sources include burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
Urban Planning
The process of designing and managing the physical development of cities and towns. It involves considering factors such as transportation, housing, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
Building Design
The process of creating plans and specifications for the construction of buildings. It involves considering factors such as functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
Energy Efficiency
The use of technologies and practices that reduce energy consumption while maintaining or improving performance. It helps to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower energy costs.
Renewable Energy
Energy derived from natural sources that are constantly replenished, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. It offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and helps to mitigate climate change.
Q&A
How has air conditioning shaped our lives and the built environment?
Air conditioning has influenced where people choose to live, how houses are designed, and even the appearance of our cities. It has improved our quality of life but also created a detachment from the natural environment.
What were the challenges of living in hot climates before air conditioning?
Buildings were designed differently to combat heat, with features like thick walls, raised structures, and cross ventilation. Fewer people lived in hot climates due to the lack of temperature control.
How did air conditioning evolve from an industrial invention to a household staple?
Air conditioning started as a solution for industrial problems related to humidity and temperature control. It then spread to theaters, cars, offices, and eventually homes, becoming more affordable and accessible over time.
What are the environmental and societal consequences of our reliance on air conditioning?
Air conditioning contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to its energy consumption. It also creates a vulnerability to power outages and extreme heat events, particularly for those who have become accustomed to air-conditioned environments.
How can we reduce our dependence on air conditioning and address the challenges it presents?
Potential solutions include increasing air conditioning efficiency, using renewable energy sources, rediscovering traditional building techniques, and embracing a cultural shift in our perception of comfort.
What role do individuals play in reducing air conditioning use?
Individuals can make a difference by adjusting thermostat settings, embracing discomfort at times, and considering alternative ways to stay cool. A cultural shift in our definition of comfort is also crucial.
What are the potential benefits of reducing our reliance on air conditioning?
Reducing air conditioning use can help mitigate climate change, reduce energy consumption, and promote a more sustainable and resilient built environment. It can also encourage a greater connection with the natural environment and a more balanced approach to comfort.
Show Notes
Air-conditioning has become both our answer to a warming planet and a major obstacle to actually confronting it.
Emily Badger, who covers cities and urban policy for The Times, explains the increasingly dangerous paradox of trying to control the temperature.
Guest: Emily Badger, who covers cities and urban policy for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- From 2017: How air-conditioning conquered America.
- Air-conditioning use will surge in a warming world, the U.N. has warned.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Table of contents
United States
I'm generally onboard with the ideas expressed here, but calling the requisite adjustment to having less A/C a "cultural ******idea*****" is offensive. My aunt has lupus. One's indoor climate is not a conceptual issue, it's a physiological issue. For everyone.
I grew up with AC but visited family who didn't have it. It is wild to me how many people are in love with keeping their homes at 65 degrees in the height of summer, and even more wild how much they don't care about the tradeoffs, even those they themselves pay (taxing the electrical grid, for example). The pearl clutching when they think of going to 70 degrees, or when they get their electric bills!