New York Times Asks: Should Air-Conditioning 'Be Rationed Away?'
An online "Room for Debate" segment posted on the New York Times website June 21 posed a left-leaning question to a symposium of six left-leaning outside experts: "Should Air-Conditioning Go Global, or Be Rationed Away?" While it may have been acceptable for New Yorkers to beat the heat with air conditioning, when developing countries like India strives for the same comfort, it becomes an environmental concern to privileged liberals. The Times asked from its air-conditioned headquarters in Midtown Manhattan:
Temperatures in New York City have pushed toward 100 degrees this week, and air-conditioners strained the power grid (thanks in part to stores with their doors open). Meanwhile the demand for coolant gases, especially in rapidly developing countries like India, threatens to accelerate global warming.
Is it a good goal for everyone in the world to have access to air-conditioning -- like clean water or the Internet? Or is it an unsustainable luxury, which air-conditioned societies should be giving up or rationing?
The debate was keyed to a 2,000-word piece that same day by environmental reporter Elisabeth Rosenthal, "Relief in Every Window, but Global Worry Too."
In the ramshackle apartment blocks and sooty concrete homes that line the dusty roads of urban India, there is a new status symbol on proud display. An air-conditioner has become a sign of middle-class status in developing nations, a must-have dowry item.
It is cheaper than a car, and arguably more life-changing in steamy regions, where cooling can make it easier for a child to study or a worker to sleep.
But as air-conditioners sprout from windows and storefronts across the world, scientists are becoming increasingly alarmed about the impact of the gases on which they run. All are potent agents of global warming.
....
So the therapy to cure one global environmental disaster is now seeding another. “There is precious little time to do something, to act,” said Stephen O. Andersen, the co-chairman of the treaty’s technical and economic advisory panel.
Rosenthal also contributed a personal dose of liberal guilt to the paper's Green blog, "My Air-Conditioner Envy," complaining that she can't buy a more environmentally correct model and so chooses to forgo repairing her old evil one. (A confession that calls Rosenthal's journalistic objectivity on the matter into question.)
With scorching heat enveloping New York City this week, I’m suffering from air-conditioner envy. I want a model like the one I saw in April at the Terre Policy Center in Pune, India. But I can’t buy it.
As Andrew W. Lehren and I report in The Times, the warming effects of air-conditioning gases are reaching crisis proportions as more and more people in countries like India and China buy the appliances. (Some readers have rightly pointed out that people in industrialized countries depend far more heavily on air-conditioning.)
At least she's not a hypocrite; Rosenthal is willing to (metaphorically) don Jimmy Carter's cardigan sweater, and personally suffer in the heat to save the planet.
Which is why I can’t bear to replace the old air-conditioner in my living room, even though it is on the fritz and not cooling much these days. Having reported on the coolant issue, I am reluctant to invest in a model containing any of the coolant gases commercially available in the United States. I’d prefer to wait until a machine with a climate-friendly coolant is available. And I know there are many options in development.
In August 2011, Rosenthal called on China and India to turn off their air conditioners to save the planet, writing "As more people in more countries come to rely on air-conditioning, the idea of thermal comfort may need to be rethought to curb the growth in greenhouse gas emissions."
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Comments
This stuff must be kicked out on some scheduling software.
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:06pm.
They do this every summer.
Yes...
Submitted by Anon150 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:25pm.
It's like those chirpy "No More 'Casual' Fridays" stories that hit the lifestyle section two or three times a year. You know, the ones that have statistics about how much more productive and professional you'll be/feel if you wear a 3-piece Italian suit and $300 tassel loafers to work every day?
Probably sponsored by suit makers who are losing their backsides in the long depression.
...And I, for one, do not bemoan the death of the suit and tie in the workplace.
Here's an unsustainable luxury...
Submitted by James3 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:15pm.
Having millions and millions of lazy parasites on welfare, food stamps, and every other Obama handout-to-buy-votes program.
+1,000,000
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:19pm.
Exactlly!!!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Congratulations Socialist/Progressives.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:15pm.
I will never stop believing that no matter how stupid I think you are, you prove you are even stupider. LOL!!!
Lets' not let facts get in the way of a good socialist agenda
Submitted by c5then on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:19pm.
Over the last 10 years when the Evil Air Conditioners have proliferated and people around the world are enjoying the controled climate that we here in the west have enjoyed for decades, the global temperatures have declined by 1.3 degrees. It seems that the rise in temperatures in the 1990's and the plateau and slight decline starting in the mid-2000's are fairly well correspondent with solar activity and intensity. Imagine that... the star that is only 93 million miles away from the planet seems to have a direct and significant impact on it's temperatures. Now who would have thought of that?
Meanwhile the NYT seems to be approaching this like well-off just retired city-folk who move out to a nice rural lake-front development and then want to change the zoning so that they can keep it they way they have it now and not let any rif-raf in. The "I got mine, screw the rest of you" philosophy. How tolerant of them.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
I think it's a damned great idea!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:30pm.
I'll give up my A/C as soon as the federal government turns it off in every Fluking building and office that they occupy, starting with our "leader," Barack Hussein Obama's house. (he does call it HIS house!)
I lived without it till the time I went into service and landed in an air conditioned barracks, so I've got an idea I can stand it again. Hell, I spent a year in the tropics and never saw an A/C except at the Officers' Club's and NCO Clubs!
Not only would this plan save the planet, but it might save the country from all the ignorant morons in D.C. since they'd be dropping dead like flies, or leaving town for cooler climes.
Hey, Times! You first!
Submitted by JeffC... on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:31pm.
Anyone want to bet that The Times' new building doesn't have windows that can be opened?
I wouldn't want to be in the same room as Krugman and Friedman when the AC is turned off. They both think they're too important to be inconvenienced by discomfort. The girlish screams as the flop-sweat and chafing begins would rival those in a colicky baby ward.
LMFAO!!
Submitted by James3 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 5:02pm.
"Flop-sweat and chafing''.....what a visual! Nothing worse than a fat, hairy wimpy lib with an Arby's stain on their tie crying about the 75 degree ''heat wave'' whilst they write some limp-wristed article about social injustice.
Stop the South
Submitted by libBuster on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:33pm.
Air conditioning made large scale settlement of Florida and Texas possible. Two usually Republican States, which account for 67 Electoral votes.. Without air-conditioning thousands of seniors would rapidly die in Florida.
How cruel can Democrats be?
death of the IT sector as well
Submitted by Dragoon on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:48pm.
Without AC, I imagine that large portions of the IT industry would also wither away. Servers generate a lot of heat and cooling them so they run efficiently becomes a major cost factor.
But you're right about seniors in these hot locales. Modern heating and cooling has made many places more hospitable for human habitation but that's what's wrong with technology.
Smacks of Pol Pot
Submitted by libBuster on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 4:08pm.
These luddites are beginning to sound like Pol Pot
Perhaps a DEM way to
Submitted by DEEBEE on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 6:14am.
Perhaps a DEM way to stabilize Medicare and Social Security
Just checked the temperature
Submitted by ricor on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:36pm.
Just checked the temperature outside here in Dallas, 100 in the shade and feels like 112. Will they give up heat in the winter? Didn't think so!
ricor, RU an AC [expletive deleted, h/t Nixon] user?
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 4:44pm.
A quick chunk of history of ,dat..AC.
More AC...
The Difference in Arizona Today air conditioners provide home owners with the comfort of cool air during harsh summer months.
Arizona air conditioning is especially important in the Valley. Without cooling units, Phoenix and the surrounding cities would be nearly impossible to live in Also a swamp cooler primer when temperatures reach 100 degrees and continue to climb.
Oh never mind.... just think of the less stressful elderly health care systems in place in, Africa...where life expediency is 45...
You Didn't Build That.
I hate AC
Submitted by Peter-in-NYC on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:48pm.
I personally hate air conditioning. I hate that everywhere I go in the summer it feels cold.
But I also have read that it is cheaper to run AC in the summer than it is to run the heat in the winter, hence we should want global warming. Yeah, we get heat waves but in the summer there is plenty of time where you can open a window.
Air conditioning is really a luxury but heat is a necessity. In the winter imagine trying to go a few days without heat? You really can't. Anything below 30 degrees - which a lot of blue states tend to be in the winter for weeks on end - without heat and people can die. 90 degrees may feel uncomfortable to some people but as long as you drink enough water you're fine.
What about AZ
Submitted by rman2 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 4:57pm.
Hit 112 actual degrees here last week. Everyone knows you can put warmer clothes on to combat the cold in winter (I know, spent 3 yrs in Alaska) but once you get down to your skives there is nothing left to take off to combat the heat!
Current temp: 104 degrees...
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 5:19pm.
That's what the temp is here outside 'Casa Grumpy'... Looking forward to the 115 - 117 predicted over the 4th of July week... for joy.
- Grump :o)
P.s.: Any lib that wants to set-up and live in a canvass tent in my back yard is welcome to do so... for a nominal fee - water not included.
Pete, Need to do some data collection in a tent in August.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 5:22pm.
You could do a Burning man first then you can step up to a plate where you can yell, It's a dry heat..FF 2:00 to 2:13
at a mild 128 F.In a tent...
You Didn't Build That.
I can STAND THE HEAT
Submitted by Peter-in-NYC on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 6:40pm.
I've survived many a New York summer with 95 degrees and 90 percent humidity. I'd still get on my bike and ride in Central Park to "cool off."
I think I can stand the heat. I just can't stand the cold.
And again, my point is that liberals make too much of out of "global warming." It needs to be a "heat wave" in the 90s in parts of the country to issue heat advisories. Winter you just need an average day to make it miserable.
Say Pete, 90 didn't impress so now it's 95.. long ways from 128F
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 6:55pm.
July is also a great month to record some temps.Ya got some time then.
You Didn't Build That.
I can STAND THE HEAT
Submitted by Peter-in-NYC on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 6:40pm.
I've survived many a New York summer with 95 degrees and 90 percent humidity. I'd still get on my bike and ride in Central Park to "cool off."
I think I can stand the heat. I just can't stand the cold.
And again, my point is that liberals make too much of out of "global warming." It needs to be a "heat wave" in the 90s in parts of the country to issue heat advisories. Winter you just need an average day to make it miserable.
Pete 37 years ago, I owned a bike shop, I rode in 110 F...
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 1:38pm.
I was fine as long as I kept moving....
I can not ride as fast or far now and there are more cars per hwy mile....
Some fast moving silent Chevy volt has my name on it's bumper.
37 years later I do not mingle, curse or play dodge with the cars...
You Didn't Build That.
Ever hear of heat exaustion?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 11:45am.
"Yeah, we get heat waves but in the summer there is plenty of time where you can open a window."
Ever hear of heat exhaustion? Heat stress? Heat stroke? Dehydration? Heat can kill just as easily as cold. It's one of the reasons why mankind invented "air conditioning." In many parts of the world, air conditioning isn't a luxury, it's a necessity.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
CobraMan ,You had a great comment about AC history last year.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 1:28pm.
AC is the reason that big cities exist in some of the hottest deserts/places on the planet...
Anyways it was a Cool Comment...heh heh...
You Didn't Build That.
Another lame idea...
Submitted by Saint Zero on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:51pm.
From Yankees, no less. I predict a chilly reception for this idea south of the Mason/DIxon line.
Ration It Away
Submitted by miss911ninja on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 3:56pm.
Ms. Rosenthal probably either lives in NYC and takes a cab to work, or she lives outside the city and drives her own car. Either way, if she feels so strongly about the evils of air conditioning, she can put her money where her mouth is by asking her cab driver to turn off the air, or she can "ration it away" by keeping her hands off the AC dial in her Prius.
Arizona heat...
Submitted by gxa99 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 6:37pm.
I've worked on flight lines all over the world in the USAF. The worst, BY FAR were my last 6 years including 5 years at Luke AFB, AZ and 1 year in Egypt (Beni Suef, about 80 miles south of Cairo). Anybody whose worked outside in the "Valley of the Sun" on pavement, in the summer, knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about, and 130 degs is more accurate. (concrete and asphalt increase temps by about 15 degs) I'll take the freezing weather of northern states ANY DAY!
Keep in mind, we are WORKING in this hell, not lounging about poolside! Jetblast, loud noise, protective gear, uniforms, discipline, professionalism and 130degs, what fun! Water and A/C are the only things on your mind!
Then, you get these bleeding heart libs, who I'll bet NEVER worked OUTSIDE in the summer anywhere! Complain about A/C, but won't give it up!!??
It's impossible to respond such utter hypocritical stupidity....
Interesting...
Submitted by Unsane on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 8:22pm.
Hmmm...isn't this the same paper from the same city that was caterwauling and whining and complaining about last week's heat wave?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
A/C units don't emit the gases
Submitted by UltraC on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 9:12pm.
I am reluctant to invest in a model containing any of the coolant gases commercially available in the United States
* face-palm *
Does Rosenthal understand that an A/C unit doesn't emit these gases? They're used in a closed system. The emissions from an A/C unit? Hot air, something Rosenthal should be familiar with.
If the A/C units emitted the coolant gases, they would quickly lose their effectiveness in cooling. Granted, the coolant gases do eventually escape, but they do so in trace amounts over a long period of time.
Find another line, will ya???
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 9:43pm.
“There is precious little time to do something, to act,” said Stephen O. Andersen, the co-chairman of the treaty’s technical and economic advisory panel.
There's been "precious little time to act" for forty friggin' years already. Give it a rest.
Typical liberal thinking,
Submitted by MichaelPaladin on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 11:20pm.
Typical liberal thinking, find something to ban or get rid of something would put hundreds of thousands of people out of work, and kill hundred of thousands more.
I'm a Heating and Air Conditioning Service Technician with close to 30 years experience. There was nothing wrong with the refrigerants that were in use. A lot of it was made up hype.
A typical air conditioning or refrigeration system, is a closed system, the only reason for losing refrigerant out of the system is because of a leak. Either from a poor installation or over time from just general wear and tear.
The big thing is having your HVAC system checked on a regular basis, and keeping the air filters changed. Typically most systems have and average life span of 15-25 years.
Made-up hype? You mean like apples
Submitted by UpNorth on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 11:46pm.
and Alar?
Liberals apparently hated people eating apples as much as they hate A/C. I mention Alar only because libs hated it, because Meryl Streep said it was bad, at the urging of the National Resources Defense Council. Much like other celebs and the NRDC said that all kinds of gases were being released every day by A/C units.
"potential agents for global warming?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 11:54am.
"All are potent agents of global warming."
I think you have your talking points confused. Freon isn't an "agent of global warming." It's an "agent for ozone depletion." At least that's what you people told us 30 years ago. What will it be 30 years from now, an agent for lung cancer?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.