Be Honest, Popular Mechanics, Air Conditioning Saves Lives With No Threat of Doom

[rangerrebew]

Be Honest, Popular Mechanics, Air Conditioning Saves Lives With No Threat of Doom
 
By
H. Sterling Burnett
July 28, 2026
 

Popular Mechanics published an article titled “Air Conditioning Saves Lives. Scientists Think It Also Might Doom Us All.” The first part of the title is absolutely true, air conditioning does save lives. The second half is absolutely false, a bit of eye catching hyperbole, which even Popular Mechanics admits in a subhead, “Well, maybe not ‘doom.’ But a new study argues that air conditioning should be a last-ditch solution.” Air conditioning saves lives, full stop! It should be a first resort for preventing deaths, not a last ditch solution. In addition, research shows air conditioning has a minimal influence on climate change.

Popular Mechanics cites a study that claims while air conditioning will always be in use, its use should be limited because of its downstream climate impacts. Popular Mechanics writes:

In the very worst situations, air conditioners can save lives. But their electricity-hungry nature only exacerbates climate change.

A new study suggests that a combination of technologies can decrease A/C demand by up to 80 percent and drop ambient temperatures by more than 4 ºC.

While the air conditioners will always have a place in helping humans stay cool, the study argues that they should be seen as a last-ditch cooling method rather than the go-to option.

As the planet continues to inch past the 1.5 ºC increase in global temperature—a threshold originally reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] as critical to avoiding catastrophic climate impacts—this same dedication to convenience dominates the conversation about how we’re going to keep ourselves cool. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), air conditioners and electric fans already account for 10 percent of global electricity consumption, and that number is only expected to rise as summers reach sweltering temperatures around the world.

https://climaterealism.com/2026/07/be-honest-popular-mechanics-air-conditioning-saves-lives-with-no-threat-of-doom/

[DefiantMassRINO]

I have my A/C set to 80^oF.  My wife has poor circulation in her legs, and gets cold easily.  I've learned to be comfortable at that setting.  Still removes humidity to make things more comfortable.

I grew up with box fans and open windows to keep me cool(er) during the Summer.  I lived, but was envious of those rich bastids with A/C.

Planting more shade trees would help.  Old city planners were big on deciduous shade trees to cool the city in Summer and allow for more sun during Winter.

More free parking and free access at public beaches would help in urban areas.

It's not only temperature that kills, dehydration and loss of electrolytes have a role to play.  Hydration and electrolytes also need to be available ... Italian Ices and Popsicles made with Pedialyte, as an example.

These days, government leaders don't want to lead.  They lack imagination, initiative, and work ethic.  They just want to stew in their administrative civil service jobs until they can retire with a pension and healthcare.  They are content to let people die, because that's what's easiest for them.  Government "Public service" is really "self-service".

[rangerrebew]

These days, government leaders don't want to lead.  They lack imagination, initiative, and work ethic.  They just want to stew in their administrative civil service jobs until they can retire with a pension and healthcare.  They are content to let people die, because that's what's easiest for them.  Government "Public service" is really "self-service".