Cool summer: UNESCO recommendations for staying well while respecting the environment
Six simple actions to spend the summer in the cool without t…
Although it depends a lot on the model used, in general air conditioning has a large impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, excess heat production and the release of pollutants into the environment. The main reason is the use of refrigerants, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere in quantities approximately equal to double the emissions due to the consumption of electricity from fossil fuels. We assure you that you can spend the summer in the cool by limiting the use of air conditioning if you implement small measures.
Today, the use of air conditioners to stay cool represents almost 20% of the total electricity used in buildings around the world. According to the International Energy Agency, greenhouse gas emissions related to air conditioning will double between 2016 and 2050. In France, for example, the ADEME has estimated that air conditioning alone already represents 5% of emissions from the entire building sector.
Today, in Italy, about 30 percent of the population owns an air conditioner, according to a study conducted by a group of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley and the German University of Mannheim and published in 2021, in 2050 it will be 50 percent.
Our attempts to cool ourselves actually contribute to making the planet increasingly warmer. While on the one hand it may be necessary to use air conditioning for vulnerable people and for specific conditions, on the other hand it is essential to start knowing and implementing six simple actions to take in the city, at home and in the office to spend the summer in the cool by limiting the use of air conditioning.
1. Create a shaded environment, limiting the entry of the sun
When the sun starts to shine through the window, try to limit the entry by using curtains, especially if the windows are oriented to the south and west. Some buildings still let light through, while effectively blocking direct exposure to the sun.
For example, when you leave the house in the morning, remember to pull down the blinds a little or close the windows when the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature. These small actions will allow you to maintain a cool environment.
2. Surround yourself with plants
Surrounding yourself with plants helps to cool the atmosphere of the room or to isolate the house from the outside environment. Plants also help to increase the humidity of the room.
3. Let the air circulate at night
When the day is coming to an end and the air is getting cooler, open all the windows to let the air circulate as much as possible in the interior spaces of the house. Cooling the environment during the night is one of the best methods to spend the summer days in the cool.
4. Get help from humidity
Putting buckets of water in the room, blocking the window with wet sheets, or adding other damp objects can cool the atmosphere around you.
5. Dress right: loose clothing and natural fabrics
Choosing the right clothing when it’s hot is essential to stay cool in the summer. Loose clothing, made of natural fabrics and in light colors are the best options to choose to protect yourself from the heat: linen, organic cotton and hemp help the skin breathe and regulate body temperature.
Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun’s rays if you go outside.
6. Stay hydrated and eat the right foods
Food also plays an important role in helping us. Drinking enough water is essential to avoid heat stress and reduce the likelihood of being subject to heat stroke.
In addition, the food we eat has a more or less positive impact on body heating. Favouring fresh meals, rich in fruit and vegetables, mineral salts and vitamins is a step forward to help our body regulate itself during the hottest seasons. Avoiding eating animal proteins and highly caloric meals is a good start.
7. Stay in touch with nature
During your free time and lunch breaks, try to stay outdoors, preferring tree-lined and shaded areas.
On the weekend, try to get out of the city by going on bike rides, walking in the mountains or along a river, swimming in the sea and exploring the natural parks and protected areas of the area. What better place to spend the summer in the cool if not being surrounded by nature?
8. If you really have to use the air conditioning…
Finally, if you really have to use the air conditioning, remember to:
- Choose your system wisely, as the ecological footprint varies greatly from one model to another.
- Moderate its use. For example, setting the temperature to 27°C instead of 22 can halve the energy consumption of the appliance.
Bibliography:
UNESCO Staff guide: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375334/PDF/375334eng.pdf.multi
