Introduction
In a country where summer only lasts a few months of the year, over half of the households have air conditioning (Statistics Canada, 2015). In recent years, the battle against climate change has been gaining more traction and people are becoming increasingly aware of the damage that we as humans are doing to Earth. If Canadians want to demonstrate that they are serious about climate change, they must ask themselves the question regarding if having air conditioning (AC) is truly a need or a want? But before we ask ourselves whether AC is a need or a want, we must consider the true costs of AC on things such as the environment and our society. Only then can we truly decide whether or not AC should be a want or a need.
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However, environmental costs are not the only price we pay for AC as there is a social cost which many overlook that is illnesses which are related to polluted air. It was found that air pollution from AC was associated with negative cardiovascular effects (Lin, Chuang, Liu, Chen, & Chuang, 2013). The true costs that are associated with AC are overlooked by majority of people, this ignorance is extremely frightening because Earth does not show signs of cooling down anytime soon which will result in people buying additional AC units creating a positive feedback loop that benefits no one.
Wants and Needs
When discussing human wants and needs, one can argue for either side depending on the minimum level at which they deem a human being can survive or the minimum level at which a human can survive with dignity. For the issue regarding human wants and needs for AC, AC should be considered as a human want. The first reason for this is that when identifying wants and needs we must look at both short and long term, and although the short-term benefits of AC are quite evident we have to take in to account sustainability which would be extremely difficult long term with AC. The next reason is based off the hierarchy of needs and a need for control. Our need to control every aspect of our lives is further promoted with AC as we it perpetuates our need to maintain control. The first implication of AC being
This source features a report by Jill U. Adams on the dangers, and current regulations of air pollution and climate change. Holding a Ph.D. in pharmacology from Emory University, the author primarily writes a health column for the Washington Post. She has also been featured in the magazines Audubon, Scientific American and Science. Because this article covers climate change, there is an inherent liberal bias. However, this bias coincides with irrefutable scientific data proving the existence of climate change. The audience for this article is anyone effected by air pollution and climate change; just about everyone. This source upholds my speculation that human beings have a significant effect on the climate. Before reading this article, I wasn’t aware that 55 million people a year died from air pollution. I found this source on CQ Researcher while searching for ‘pollution.’
Greenhouse gases coupled with chemicals in human-made products increases the rate at which global warming affects us. Burning more fossil fuels increases greenhouse gases’ potential to cause natural disasters that devastate regular lives. The illustration shows a Honduran child searching for his family amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. (Doc 4) Any natural disaster can be especially harmful to LDCs, since they especially lack the provision of basic necessities and funds to rebuild infrastructure. The fact that a Honduran child suffers as a result of industrialization from distant core regions shows the growing scale at which the negative environmental effects of industrialization encompass. Refrigerants and aerosols release these CFCs that destroy the ozone, and modifications have been made to hinder their damage. Greenfreeze, conceptualized and launched in 1992, is a substance that replaces the classic refrigerant for propane and isobutene, both safer alternatives. Argentina, Turkey, and Russia produce Greenfreeze, while LDCs express interest in investment of the product. (Doc 7) Likewise with refrigerants, propellant sprays now comprise of pentane and butane as substitutes. In Sweden and the Netherlands, over 60% of asthma sufferers have converted to dry-powder inhalers. (Doc 7) The diffusion of alternatives of traditional CFC-releasing products helps the industries spread their innovations, and lead towards eliminating use of harmful chemicals in the
Out of the frying pan and into the fire as they say. Eric Klinenberg creates an argument saying, Americans need to reduce their use of air conditioning. While it might be helpful on a hot summer day, AC is dangerous to the environment. In his essay "Viewpoint Air Conditioning Will Be the End of Us," Klinenberg uses logos and word choice to present his argument and persuade the reader.
Will McAvoy, the news anchor of HBO’s hit TV-drama The Newsroom once said, “The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one”. Canadians have heard of climate change cries for decades. However, this constant bombardment has lost its effect. As a result, Canadians have been taking baby steps towards resolving this environmental issue. The changes in the ecosystem of Canada and other countries around the world are discussed constantly. The fact is humans are using up the Earth’s resources before they can be replenished. Canadians should reevaluate their lifestyle because their fundamental survival needs such as: land, water and air are being affected tremendously. Through a goal shared by the Canadian Government, big corporations and the average Canadian, that’s when true change can occur.
We can involve climate change in our daily activities, like living in energy-efficient homes and energy-efficient places, Minimizing polluting transportation and eating less meat. According to Professor Jonathan Taylor, Southern California is one of the energy-efficient places in the U.S. Living in energy-efficient places would lead to less carbon emissions and minimizing transportation which does not cause a lot of pollution. Pollution leads to climate change. Buses and cars are major causes of pollution. Walking and cycling are healthier, does not cause pollution and good for your health. We should eat less meat because it leads to less greenhouse emissions (Taylor, 25th February).
Heat is an important resource. It helps us grow crops and other things. Using Greenhouse gasses will temper the climate change. This is a problem. If the united states makes laws it can probably limit greenhouse gasses. This is important because it points out when United States makes laws It can help us improve the environment by preventing greenhouse gasses. Providing more greenhouse gasses keep them trapped in our atmosphere. Providing laws will prevent this from happening. Providing laws will also help us reduce the use of electricity. We can make bills if there is an overuse of electricity you. This way it can make a HUGE impact on saving energy. This is important because it points out by saving electricity now we have one objective of our mind. Now you just need to find out a way to stop
I chose this article because I think it’s an important topic that affects Canada greatly. People all across the world are affected by climate change, but Canada will experience it more than any other place due to the fact that we are far from the equator and higher up North. This should be a concern to Canadians everywhere, because although people in Nunavut will feel warming worse than in Ontario, we are all still going to be affected by this in some way. It’s never too late to take action, and before conditions get worse, we should look into ways of reducing climate change. Not only is it worrying that people will be harmed and forced to move because of this, but we are hurting our planet, and now is the time to change that. Gregory Flato
Canadian citizens are witnessing the devastating effects of climate change on our world. These major impacts are a result of human behavior and will get worse without any actions taken. Most of how Canadian’s produce greenhouse gas emissions is through Home energy, food/shopping, and cars/transport as this strategy of living can cause polar ice caps to melt in the northern and southern hemisphere causing habitat loss, sea levels rising/decreasing, temperature change, and El Niño. This global warming issue has taken a huge effect in Canada as finding alternative ways to reduce consumption of transportation, clothing, food, and shopping is required.
Countries with huge, frozen hinterlands, for example Canada and Russia have a couple of economic benefits. Global warming makes agriculture and mining more possible in those places. It is possibly no coincidence that Russians have always been unwilling to make single-minded climate guarantees and during the time President Vladimir V. Putin has widely inquired the science of climate change. Even though, both Canada and Russia could have some economic benefits because of global warming the world is creating. Scientists from the science of climate change, have faith that those countries with, frozen hinterlands, will suffer from the natural resources they prerequisite. For instance when in Russia there was rapidly fires that are killing millions
This paper will reflect on the readings that we have done thus far, as well as ask the important question of how our daily lives, the things that we buy, use, and throw away, are all intertwined and built to impact climate change. Readings such as: Poverty, the environment, and the market, Tangled routes, the story of stuff, and This Changes everything gave us a glimpse into how humans are the primary contributors to climate change. Also, the movie; These changes everything, builds upon the image that humans are the primary contributors to climate change.
In today’s society we crave control more than anything else in the world. Control on people, the weather, technology, music, news, ext. In this case Stan Cox brings to our attention what it would be like with no control of temperature form the confiscation of Air Conditioners. “In a world without air conditioning, a warmer, more flexible, more relaxed work place helps make summer time to slow down again” (Cox pg 345). Stan Cox breaks up his idea of a world without air conditioning by separating it for us through work, home, and around town. I agree with Cox’s interpretation to an extent, I believe people would be a bit more unsettling then he portrays. Though
It is becoming increasingly certain that climate change will have severe adverse effects on the environment in years to come. Addressing this issue poses a serious challenge for policy makers. How we choose to respond to the threat of global warming is not simply a political issue. It is also an economic issue and an ethical one. Responsible, effective climate change policy requires consideration of a number of complex factors, including weighing the costs of implementing climate change policies against the benefits of more environmentally sustainable practices. Furthermore, this analysis must take place amidst serious gaps in the existing research and technology concerning the developing climatic condition.
Sacramento summer weather is too unbearable to stay outside for more than ten minutes. Air conditioning is important because it helps people stay cool. However, why can’t people go swimming in the lake instead of staying indoors with their air conditioners? People should get rid of air conditioners because business hours would be shorter, electric bills would be lower and individuals would become more connected with each other.
Climate change or global warming is a major problem in today world and society. With this being said Eric Klinenberg believes that air conditioning is a major cause and dilemma that proceeds without being notice. Eric Klinenberg, in his article “Viewpoint: Air- Conditioning Will Be the End of Us”, addresses the issues and the necessity to reduce the usage of air-conditioning, with the aid of current on-going circumstances, witty tone and obvious reasons and examples.
In “Viewpoint: Air-Conditioning will be the end of us”, author Erick Klinenberg argues that American society is over-reliant on the use of air-conditioning and drastic efforts need to be implemented to prevent its detrimental effects in the future. In order to persuade his audience, Klinenberg considers other perspectives, utilizes an exasperated tone, and presents drastic examples to expose America’s over-reliance on air-conditioning.