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Catalyst with Shayle Kann
Fixing the refrigerant problem
Nov 7, 2024
Shayle chats with Ian McGavisk, a senior advisor at RMI and refrigerant expert, who recently co-authored a report on recovering residential AC refrigerants. They delve into the staggering heat-trapping power of conventional refrigerants compared to CO2, discussing the ongoing global transition to safer alternatives. Ian highlights the emissions throughout the refrigerant lifecycle and the economic challenges of reclamation. They also uncover the trade-offs with low-global warming potential alternatives, emphasizing the urgent need for effective refrigerant management.
30:08
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Quick takeaways
- Refrigerants significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating a rapid transition to lower impact alternatives to meet climate targets.
- The economic challenges and lack of technician training hinder refrigerant recovery efforts, highlighting the need for legislative support to improve reclamation practices.
Deep dives
The Impact of Refrigerants on Climate Change
Refrigerants significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, making them comparable to the aviation sector in terms of climate impact. Estimates suggest that they are responsible for 1.5 to 2 gigatons of CO2 equivalents annually, potentially escalating to 30 to 50 gigatons over the next few decades. This issue is critical because, without addressing refrigerant emissions, goals for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius cannot be achieved. The residential sector alone, in the U.S., equates to the emissions of approximately 1.7 million cars on the road yearly, highlighting the urgency of this environmental concern.
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