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CHILLING PROSPECTS: PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE COOLING FOR ALL

CHILLING PROSPECTS: PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE COOLING FOR ALL

Full Title: CHILLING PROSPECTS: PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE COOLING FOR ALL
Author(s): Sustainable Energy For All
Publisher(s): Sustainable Energy For All and Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program
Publication Date: July 1, 2018
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Cooling is one of the wonders of the modern age. However, for hundreds of millions of people living in the hottest climates, the impact of not having access to modern cooling services is profound. Every year, millions of people die due to the absence of cooling that could help address hunger and malnutrition, preserve the efficacy of vaccines, and alleviate the worst of deadly heat waves. Cooling access can also help increase farmer incomes and lift people out of poverty by increasing the sales value of their produce when it meets the market.

This report identifies another significant population group who are at risk in a different way—specifically, 2.3 billion people in the increasingly affluent lowermiddle class in developing countries who are on the brink of purchasing the most affordable—and therefore likely least efficient—air conditioners. If we only look at growing air conditioning demand from this group—driven overwhelmingly by city dwellers in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Brazil— and ignore possible energy efficiency measures in the buildings themselves, energy demand is forecast to rise more than 33-fold by 2100.iv Put simply, global cooling demand, if not better managed, is a colossal climate threat.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

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