by Dharna Noor, Gizmodo
Highlights
- A new report from the United Nations shows that 460 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions could be avoided worldwide by switching to energy-efficient, climate-safe air conditioning
- There are 3.6 billion cooling appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units in use around the globe
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals that were once used in air conditioning units, among other products, were banned after the Montreal Protocol. However, their replacement, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are also negatively impacting the climate as they are 11,700 times more warming than carbon dioxide
- In 2019 governments adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in order to phase out HFCs
- Doing so could avoid as much as 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit of warming if adopted globally
- However, major emitters such as the US and India are two of the 90 countries that have not signed on
- Doubling the energy efficiency of air conditioners could save up to $2.9 trillion by 2050
- Promoting the construction of energy-efficient housing with alternative cooling options like green roofs will reduce the world’s need for air conditioning
Fossil fuel divestment and the transition to 100% clean energy is critical to achieving The Climate Center’s goals under the Climate-Safe California Platform.
Read More: https://earther.gizmodo.com/we-essentially-cook-ourselves-if-we-don-t-fix-air-con-1844416667
Nina Turner
Energy Programs and Communications CoordinatorJanina is a graduate of the Energy Management and Design program at Sonoma State University with experience in non-profits that specialize in sustainability and volunteerism.
