Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Air Conditioning Raises Warming Risks
Coverage from Phys.org, Time, and others
Articles
5
Latest Article
03/22
Active Days
26
Executive Summary
Studies project AC use more than doubling by 2050, lifting electricity demand, emissions, and global warming while deepening cooling inequality
- Air conditioning use is projected to more than double by 2050
- Cooling electricity could reach 4493 TWh under midrange scenarios
- AC emissions could hit 8.5 GtCO2e a year in the worst case
- Projected warming from AC ranges from 0.03 C to 0.07 C by 2050
- Most added warming is driven by income-enabled cooling growth, not temperature alone
- South Asia and Africa face the greatest cooling need but least access
- Policy responses include clean power, low-pollution refrigerants, better buildings, and demand shifts
Quick Facts
- What: Projected rising air conditioning demand and emissions
- Where: Global regions including South Asia Africa Europe and North America
- Why: Rising heat and income growth increase cooling use and emissions
- Who: International researchers led by University of Birmingham scientists
- When: By 2050
Coverage Timeline: 26 Days
Featured Article
International researchers project by 2050 air conditioning use doubles, raising electricity demand and emissions globally.
Additional Articles
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Researchers in the United Kingdom warn that by 2050 air conditioning use could double globally, increasing electricity demand and warming with unequal access.
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Researchers say by 2050 global cooling demand could raise emissions unless energy decarbonization and equitable access are achieved.
Researchers forecast air conditioning demand and emissions by 2050 across global regions including South Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
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During a forecast heat wave in Utah, Denver, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis, U.S. housing air-conditioning use continues expanding while electricity demand and heat-health risks rise.