WeberWhyWorry



**__FACTS ﻿__** **Increased Use:** [4] **Energy**: Increase in central air conditioning over 30 year time period trend correlates with (see charts below)
 * In 1960, air conditioning was found in only 12% of U.S. homes and 20% of cars
 * Today, air conditioning is found in 85% of homes natio﻿nwide
 * Almost all new homes and cars are built with air conditioning
 * Air-conditioning in American homes [2]
 * Energy used has doubled since early 1990’s
 * Electricity used is equivalent to amount necessary to supply close to 1 billion Africans use for all their electricity needs
 * Climate: **
 * Air conditioning buildings and cars in the U.S. has the climate impact of half a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year
 * R-134a is the coolant currently used in automotive air conditioners
 * It has an average atmospheric lifespan of 11 years leading to a global warming potential (GWP) of 1400 (GWP = ratio of a given gases behavior to carbon dioxide)
 * Health: **
 * Asthma rates more than doubling, from 3.4 percent to 7.8 percent
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Average body mass index increase of 24.9 to 27.7 (BMI of 25 and up = overweight; 30 and up = obese)

[5] [5]

** __MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM__ **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“With air conditioning so thoroughly integrated into American society, we're going to have trouble finding reverse gear” [4]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Most important influences on the American metropolis in the last half of the 20th century
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Air conditioner was only one of two technological devices named

** __ Consequences of not addressing problem and Stakeholders __ **
 * ** // __It is changing us__ // **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Owners and family members of Air Conditioning Systems in cars, home, and work; EPA; Health Care/Hospitals; Producers of A/C units; automotive manufacturers
 * ** // __AND the way we live__ // **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wearing sweaters at work in the summer
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Air conditioning is affecting our health and contributing to weight gain
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">UAB biostatistician David Allison, Ph.D., and colleagues suggest that air conditioning and other factors may play surprisingly important roles in America’s weight crisis [1]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Less than half a century ago, America thrived with only the spottiest use of air conditioning. Now most homes, vehicles, and offices provide everyone a climate-controlled environment year round.” [2]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The “reduction in variability of ambient temperature” eliminates the body’s need to work to cool down when hot or heat up when cold.[1]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Comfort of living in this type of environment will lead people to choose indoors over outdoors
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Resulting in less exercise and less energy exerted at lower metabolic rates
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tolerances for heat decrease leading to more dependence on air conditioning
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Air conditioning “burns fossil fuels, which emits greenhouse gases, which could contribute to raises in global temperatures, which creates a need for more air conditioning” [2]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The chlorofluorocarbons and hydroflourocarbons used in air conditioners as coolant contribute to the greenhouse effect and possibly climate change

** __ How the problem could be fixed __ **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Limit use of air conditioners for only necessary and not year round
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer [6]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">About half of the energy used in homes goes to heating and cooling.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Could save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean or replace filters on air conditioner
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cleaning a dirty air filter could save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Corporations making changes to support environmental sustainability
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GM is using a new coolant that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 99%
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The new coolant only has an atmospheric lifespan of 4 days
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More government led initiative to support environmental sustainability
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">40% improvement in fleet fuel economy that is required by 2016
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">EPA awards credit for this improved environmental performance
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Help Corporations commitment toward producing greener products as advantageous [7]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“GM’s decision to adopt this new refrigerant is additional proof of our commitment to be on the forefront of green technologies that will keep our planet healthy for our children and grand-children,” said Mike Robinson
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">GM vice president of Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. “It’s not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it’s about environmental leadership and GM plans to lead in developing new technologies that will take the vehicle out of the environmental debate.”

[1] Phillips, Robert D. M.D. “Does My Air Conditioner Make Me Fat? Identifying Hidden Causes of Obesity // .” International Journal of Obesity, UAB //. 2005. < []  >
 * Sources **

[2] Cox, Stan “In the heat wave, the case against air conditioning.” // The Washington Post //. 11 July 2010. < []  >

[3] “Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World.” < []  >

[4] Cox, Stan “AC: It's not as cool as you.” // Los Angeles Times //. 18 July 2010. < []  >

[5] // Consumer Reports // .” Is there a link between central air conditioning and chronic disease? A new study hints at one.” 9 July 2010. < []  >

[6]Petrone, Maurizio. “How To Stop Global Warming.” 9 February 2009. < []  >

[7] // General Motors //. “GM First to Market Greenhouse Gas-Friendly Air Conditioning Refrigerant in U.S.” 23 July 2010. < [|http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/July/0723_refrigerant]  >

<Energy Star. ”Top Ten Facts Energy Star”. 23 November 2009. <[]>
 * References **

// Marian Koshland Science Museum Of The National Academy of Sciences //. “Global Warming Facts & Our Future”. 2010. <[].>

// Consumer Affairs //.” Does Air Conditioning Contribute to Obesity?”. 29 July 2006. <[]>

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