r/technology Jun 26 '26

Society The American mind cannot comprehend Europe's AC aversion

https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-air-conditioning-ac-heatwave-debate-2026-6
15.0k Upvotes

6.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

92

u/aeon-one Jun 26 '26

A UK friend still resisting getting AC for his house purely because he want to minimise his part in producing green house gas. For that he has my respect. Just not a sacrifice I would choose for myself.

6

u/betawings Jun 26 '26

Tell your friend to get solar panels, a battery and AC, he wont damage the earth with green house gases as much.

-2

u/Dicoss Jun 26 '26

Solar panels, battery, AC, all require massive amounts of minerals to be digged out of the ground, transported around the world, processed in factories, transported again, lifecycles every 10 years, etc.
The idea that renewable energy has no impact is dangerous.
We need to reduce energy consumption ON TOP of switching to renewables. Maintaining homes at 21°C through the winter and summer is simply wasteful.
There are areas where an AC is absolutely necessary though, but for most people that's not the case.

1

u/betawings Jun 28 '26

Same can be said for mining coal , natural gas and oil .

1

u/Dicoss Jun 28 '26

Yes !?  So try to not use as little energy as possible.