air conditioning a major contributor to global warming. Should Washington DC take the lead in deleting AC to fight AGW? (Rush Limbaugh, gallon)

[randomparent]

I remember reading an article a year or so ago claiming that heat is the greater evil in the quest to reduce one's environmental footprint. Maybe all those people living in the sunbelt are on to something. Given that heaters are typically powered with gas or oil, it makes sense. Additionally, the electricity for a/c is easier to replace with a green(er) energy source.

[neko_mimi]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

Though I have always felt we should be relying more on thermal temperature rather than trying to cool or heat spaces with air.

Rely on thermal temperature? What does that even mean?

[saltine]

I already took the lead. I dont use it. DC wouldnt give you their fingerprints let alone AC

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by neko_mimi

Rely on thermal temperature? What does that even mean?

Ten Myths About Geothermal Heating and Cooling – The Great Energy Challenge Blog

This gives a good break down with what I am talking about.

[ohhwanderlust]

Our $2500 studio doesn't have AC, which sucks since it's triple digits half the year (up to 111 Fahrenheit), but I'm still surviving (though I got heatstroke twice since moving here).

We sleep outside most nights since it's usually 95 degrees inside all night long, even if we open the windows.

[dv1033]

There's a good chunk of the ~7 billion folks on this planet living in regions that require A/C that are simultaneously modernizing. That's a lot of energy being used; while we've gotten use to that type of energy use per capita, the developing world is steadily rising to our standard of living.

[11thHour]

The places that use ac the most also receive a lot of solar energy as well, in most cases. Hopefully solar installations keep dropping in price to help reduce the carbon output caused by ac use.

[ChrisFromChicago]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Ironically, air conditioning could be the thing fueling future global warming

Air conditioning runs on electricity, and electricity is still largely produced from the burning of coal. As such it is a major contributor to greenhouse emissions and global warming.

Washington DC is built on a swamp and would shut down in the sweltering summers if not for AC. Would it be a good idea for DC to take the initiative and eliminate AC, at least from federal buildings, in the cause of reducing global warming?

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Not being an atmospheric scientists, I remain agnostic on the whole question of global warming

and not being a petroleum engineer, you don't believe in cars? Not being a medical doctor, you seriously doubt modern medicine?

its funny that global-bury-my-head-in-the-sand people find these quasi ways to excuse themselves NOT WANTING to believe in Climate change.



and to your post.

The drive is to move electricity to more renewable sources. Electricity can power cars, air conditioners, whatever. Your not going to take away AC - duh - so you fix the source.

[donsabi]

Perhaps a better approach and one based on freedom of choice is to have an energy allotment. How the individual uses that allotment is up to them. If the individual can manage to run their a/c within their allotment so be it.

[uggabugga]

I do think most Americans have become gigantic wusses when it comes to tolerating heat discomfort. I live just outside DC and went for 7 years - until last year - with no A/C in my vehicle, and practically none in my house, only running it for maybe a week out of the year with it set to come on at 85F. with a couple of electric fans it's not intolerable.

then I think of people living in this area or in the deep south and how they had it in, say, the 1880s:
no A/C, no fans, nothing cold to drink; men dressed in long pants, long shirts, often wool suits even in the summer - women in long dresses and bloomers...

now that would have been rough.