Heatwaves
So we better get used to this excessive heat, or so the experts tell us. It's all a result of global warming. And what to do in order to survive this weather? According to some experts we should have three hours of air conditioning a day, if we don't have it installed in our own homes: "a body needs at least three hours of cooling - preferably by air conditioning - to survive excessive heat." Oh yes, and you'll probably need a car to get to that air conditioned center, another minus on the environmental front. So the solution seems to take steps that will actually increase global warming. Nice.
What puzzles me is
a) how will using air conditioning, which requires electricity and thereby contributes to global warming, help solve the overall problem?
b) how come we Americans and Europeans cannot cope with this heat, whereas people in Saudi Arabia, Oman, etc have survived these temperatures for generations without air conditioning, etc?
c) how healthy is it to go from 20C to 40C 2 or 3 times a day? Surely such extreme temperature changes are even worse for your body?
Surely the solution is not to have universal air conditioning, but to review our housing and our lifestyle.
Make the houses better insulated, that keeps the heat in during the winter thereby reducing the heating bill, and keeps the heat out in the summer thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. Look at the clay houses and fortresses built by the Omanis and Yemenis which show how our houses should be built for such conditions. Or is this just another ploy to not address the real issue, but just increase consumption?
Also, if areas are so hot, why live there? The Arabs have tended to live close to water, be it the sea or oasis, but not smack in the middle of a desert or any hot area without adequate water supply.
If we are facing hotter weather, it might also be worth while considering whether teleworking is not a better idea. Or follow the examples of the Mediterranean states and have naps, long lunch breaks and live in the evenings and mornings . The first reduces ozon levels and contributes less to global warming. The second gives you the opportunity to fit your lifestyle round the weather, not forcing your body to cope with high temperatures. Who said we must stick to our 9 - 5 routine anyway?
For what it's worth, and if you cannot change your working hours, just remember to close all shutters and windows in the morning when you leave for work. That will keep your house cooler during the day, making it easier to cool it down in the evenings. Wear only cotton, and have a cool shower before you go to bed. All that helps you sleep better and your body to cope better. And instead of whacking on the air conditioning try putting cold water on your neck and arms up to elbow level, which also serves to reduce the body temeprature.
What puzzles me is
a) how will using air conditioning, which requires electricity and thereby contributes to global warming, help solve the overall problem?
b) how come we Americans and Europeans cannot cope with this heat, whereas people in Saudi Arabia, Oman, etc have survived these temperatures for generations without air conditioning, etc?
c) how healthy is it to go from 20C to 40C 2 or 3 times a day? Surely such extreme temperature changes are even worse for your body?
Surely the solution is not to have universal air conditioning, but to review our housing and our lifestyle.
Make the houses better insulated, that keeps the heat in during the winter thereby reducing the heating bill, and keeps the heat out in the summer thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. Look at the clay houses and fortresses built by the Omanis and Yemenis which show how our houses should be built for such conditions. Or is this just another ploy to not address the real issue, but just increase consumption?
Also, if areas are so hot, why live there? The Arabs have tended to live close to water, be it the sea or oasis, but not smack in the middle of a desert or any hot area without adequate water supply.
If we are facing hotter weather, it might also be worth while considering whether teleworking is not a better idea. Or follow the examples of the Mediterranean states and have naps, long lunch breaks and live in the evenings and mornings . The first reduces ozon levels and contributes less to global warming. The second gives you the opportunity to fit your lifestyle round the weather, not forcing your body to cope with high temperatures. Who said we must stick to our 9 - 5 routine anyway?
For what it's worth, and if you cannot change your working hours, just remember to close all shutters and windows in the morning when you leave for work. That will keep your house cooler during the day, making it easier to cool it down in the evenings. Wear only cotton, and have a cool shower before you go to bed. All that helps you sleep better and your body to cope better. And instead of whacking on the air conditioning try putting cold water on your neck and arms up to elbow level, which also serves to reduce the body temeprature.
Posted at 7/29/2006 02:05:00 PM UTC
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