Dear Editor,
So, just as CFC's, with their ozone-destroying properties, were phased out, so HFC's, an extreme potent greenhouse-gas, will now be abolished (article: 15th October 2016). That's certainly good news but what of the chemicals that will replace HFC's? I don't hear much talk of them and, indeed, what unpleasant surprises will the replacement coolants hold for us?
Wouldn't it be better to simply scale back the use of air-conditioning? Indeed, rather than continuing to build luxury, temperature-controlled retail-palaces, gambling-houses in the desert and ski-slopes where the outside temperature is 40 degrees C, why not both build and live "appropriately"?
In the past people in hot countries were able to live perfectly well without air-conditioning by building thick-walled, and well-shaded homes and streets and by taking a break from work at the hottest times. But now globalisation dictates that we work to a western timetable and so air-conditioning has become an imperative.
Unfortunately this is not unusual: The modern world seems to make a regular habit of tackling the symptoms rather than the problem.
Regards
