Sustainable Cooling in a Warming World: Technologies, Cultures, and Circularity

Abstract

Cooling is fundamental to quality of life in a warming world, but its growth trajectory is leading to a substantial increase in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The world is currently locked into vapor-compression air conditioning as the aspirational means of staying cool, yet billions of people cannot access or afford this technology. Non–vapor compression technologies exist but have low Technological Readiness Levels. Important alternatives are passive cooling measures that reduce mechanical cooling requirements and often have long histories of local use. Equally, behavioral and cultural approaches to cooling play a vital role. Although policies for a circular economy for cooling, such as production and waste, recovery of refrigerants, and disposal of appliances, are in development, more efforts are needed across the cooling life cycle. This article discusses the knowledge base for sustainable cooling in the built environment and its significant, interconnected, and coordinated technical, social, economic, and policy approaches. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Volume 47 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Thermal performance analysis of near infra-red reflection and green roof cooling techniques on buildings made of mild steel

“…These results agree with Kim et al [35] who reported that open windows combined with green roofs provided better thermal comfort and reduced the need for mechanical cooling systems. In contrast, Radhika et al [36] showed that the combination of cool roofs and open windows enhanced indoor thermal comfort by reducing heat gain. However, the results of this study suggest that the combined use of green and cool roofs can provide a promising solution for reducing urban heat island effects and improving building energy efficiency The results of the open window condition for all four types of roofs showed that the temperatures were generally lower compared to the closed window condition.…”

Biological and Bioinspired Thermal Energy Regulation and Utilization

“…Behavioral adaption is one effective strategy to cool down the body temperature, and such a strategy is often related to enhanced heat dissipation through thermal conduction and thermal convection. 29 For example, ducks like to jump into the river in the hot summer, which can transfer the excessive heat to the cool water. Butterflies and many other birds spread their wings to accelerate convection heat dissipation.…”

“…For organisms living in hot habitats, efficient heat dissipation can protect organisms from overheating. Behavioral adaption is one effective strategy to cool down the body temperature, and such a strategy is often related to enhanced heat dissipation through thermal conduction and thermal convection . For example, ducks like to jump into the river in the hot summer, which can transfer the excessive heat to the cool water.…”

Human Bodies in Extreme Environments

“…In locations with infrastructure and resources, cooling technologies such as air conditioners, fans, and cooling centers are used to cope with extreme heat. However, these technologies are not currently sustainable, and a great deal more effort will be needed to make cooling technologies more efficient and/or to increase knowledge of how to behaviorally cope with heat (Khosla et al 2022).…”