Air Conditioning is Creating a Climate Feedback Loop
CHALLENGES JULY 1, 2025
The world is sweltering through its hottest year on record. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 marked the first full calendar year where the global average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. And 2025 is already on track to continue the trend. As heatwaves become longer, stronger, and more frequent, demand for air conditioning is surging worldwide—but that demand is also making the climate crisis worse.
The Cooling Crisis
According to a new report from Reuters, keeping cool—not data centers or AI searches—is emerging as one of the biggest energy challenges of the coming decades. Air conditioning use is skyrocketing in both developed and developing nations, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), with roughly 10 new air conditioners sold every second.
But cooling buildings takes massive amounts of energy. In the U.S. alone, electricity use for cooling buildings already rivals the entire electricity consumption of Africa. If current trends continue, cooling could become the single largest use of electricity in buildings worldwide by 2050.
Worse, that electricity often comes from fossil fuel–powered plants, which emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. So the more we cool our buildings, the more we heat the planet—a vicious feedback loop that’s proving hard to break.
AC’s Hidden Side Effect: Urban Heat
Air conditioners don’t just consume energy—they also release heat directly into the atmosphere. In cities, where buildings and pavement already trap warmth, this excess heat can raise nighttime temperatures by up to 2°C (around 5°F). This urban heat island effect drives people to use even more cooling, further straining the grid and warming the air.
As extreme heatwaves begin earlier in the year and stretch longer into the fall, many regions now face record-breaking heat before summer officially begins. In fact, some researchers predict that within 30 years, more energy will be used globally for cooling than for heating.
What Can Be Done?
While researchers and companies are developing next-generation cooling technologies—like AC systems that use less energy or alternative refrigerants—these solutions may take time to reach mainstream affordability and adoption.
In the meantime, there are some smarter ways to stay cool and reduce your energy impact:
Home Cooling Tips from the U.S. Department of Energy
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. Raise it while you’re away or asleep.
Clean or replace AC filters monthly to maintain efficiency.
Close blinds or curtains during the day to block sunlight and reduce indoor heat.
Use exhaust fans sparingly; turn them off within 20 minutes of use.
Run large appliances (dishwashers, laundry, EV chargers) during midday when solar power is abundant.
Choose ENERGY STAR–rated products and ask contractors for energy fact sheets to compare models.
Don’t Forget Your Pets
Hot weather affects pets, too—often more than it affects humans. Ensure they have access to shade, water, and ventilation, and never leave them in a hot home or car.
No AC? Try These Tips
If you don’t have air conditioning or want to reduce reliance on it:
Use fans to improve airflow.
Take cool showers or use damp cloths on wrists and neck.
Sleep on lower floors or near windows that allow safe cross-ventilation.
Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Try these sleep hacks to stay cool in the summer heat.
Air conditioning may feel like a solution—but without smart changes, it’s becoming part of the problem. How we cool our homes and cities will play a major role in shaping our climate future. From upgrading appliances to planting shade trees, every step helps cool things down—without heating up the planet.