It is no secret that as Americans, we love our air conditioners. In fact, over two-thirds of all homes across the nation utilize some sort of air conditioning service. This actually represents a shift in global trends, as more and more developing countries are utilizing air conditioners to help their growing populations cope with the sweltering summer heat.
However, all of this energy use is negatively impacting our environment. So much so, that multiple nations came together a few weeks ago in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss what they can do concerning air conditioners and global climate change.
These world leaders made the announcement earlier this month that they would reduce and eventually stop the use of super-potent greenhouse gases that can be found in refrigerators and air conditioners. These chemicals, known as hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, have over 2,000 times as much heat-trapping ability of carbon dioxide. Although carbon dioxide is perhaps the most well-known greenhouse gas, the use of HFCs has been increasing -- and therefore increasingly blamed for global warming.
Why is this agreement important? Experts predict that by the year 2030, the world would have added an additional 700 million air conditioners, primarily in developing countries. This would cause the global heat index to skyrocket, as these HFCs would continue to trap heat under the ozone layer.
Overall, this agreement will potentially lower the worldwide temperature by half a degree Celsius within the next generation. Many experts view this deal as the most substantial advance in international collaboration over climate change policy since the 2015 Paris Accords, during which 195 nations pledged to hold the global temperature increases below 2 degrees Celsius.
The final agreement comes as a three-tiered system for different developing countries. India and Pakistan would freeze consumption of HFCs by 2028, China will halt growth in 2024, and countries in the developed world, such as the European Union and the United States would halt all air conditioning chemical use by 2019. All in all, the goal is to have a 80% to 85% reduction in global HFC use by 2047.
Want to make sure your air conditioning unit doesn't contain any of these potent HFCs? Contact an AC repair company today for a consultation. You will want the best AC services money can buy, so contact our professionals at Total Air Inc today!
