Air Conditioning Saves Lives But Makes the Planet Hotter

Using AC keeps us safe from extreme heat, but the gases it releases trap heat in the air and make climate change worse.

Staying cool is a matter of life and death when the weather gets dangerously hot. Thousands of people stay alive every year because they have air conditioning. It is a vital tool for health during heat waves. However, there is a catch. Using air conditioning actually makes the world warmer. Most air conditioners work by using chemicals that are very good at cooling our homes. When these machines run, they use a lot of electricity. That electricity is often made by burning things like coal or gas. Burning those fuels releases gases into the air that act like a heavy blanket around the Earth…