TED Talks Daily How to provide cooling for everyone -- without warming the planet | Rachel Kyte
Jan 31, 2022
Rachel Kyte highlights the paradox of air conditioning as a necessary comfort that exacerbates climate change. She presents innovative solutions, like bright white roofs and solar control glass, to create sustainable cooling without further warming the planet. The discussion also touches on the inequities in access to these technologies, particularly for low-income communities. Additionally, urban design adaptations are proposed to enhance livability and combat heat, encouraging a vision for a cooler, fairer future.
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Heatwave Experience
- Rachel Kyte recounts a heatwave experience in England where her bungalow offered little relief.
- The only cool place was the supermarket, highlighting the impact of extreme heat.
Cooling Paradox
- Current cooling methods exacerbate global warming due to inefficient energy use and polluting refrigerants.
- Demand for cooling is rising, with air conditioner numbers projected to increase significantly by 2050.
Cooling Inequality
- Wealthy people can afford cooling solutions while the poor, especially in hot climates, lack access.
- This inequity drives the need for sustainable and fair cooling solutions.