As summers heat up, experts urge preparation now: air conditioners alone won't suffice

As summer heatwaves intensify, with record temperatures like 41°C in Vienna, the reliance on air conditioners is becoming a critical issue. While providing immediate relief, these devices exacerbate climate change by increasing CO₂ emissions and, paradoxically, raising local temperatures. Research in Paris indicated that air conditioners operating during a nine-day heatwave increased nighttime temperatures by 2.4°C. This effect, known as the urban heat island phenomenon, is amplified as buildings and infrastructure absorb and re-radiate heat.

Scientists like Thomas Thaler from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna explain that air conditioners expel warm air directly into the environment, intensifying the heat island effect. While individual units may not be a significant problem, widespread use in buildings and large-scale cooling systems in commercial centers create "underground heat islands" and warm groundwater. This cycle makes heatwaves more severe and contributes to "tropical nights" where temperatures remain high overnight.

“

Air conditioners release hot air directly into the environment.

While Austria faces extreme heat, Lithuania's climate is not as severe. However, experts like Kęstutis Valančius, an associate professor at VILNIUS TECH, warn that the need for cooling will increase due to climate change. He emphasizes that buildings can be kept cooler through natural means, especially during the design phase. Simple heat protection measures can significantly reduce cooling demands, offering a sustainable alternative to energy-intensive air conditioning.

“

We can reduce a large part of the cooling need during the design of buildings or by applying simpler heat protection measures.