The Battle Against Extreme Heat: Tripling Demand for Air Conditioning Amidst Blackouts and Climate Change

As global temperatures continue to rise, the demand for air conditioning is expected to triple worldwide by 2050. However, extreme heat is leading to multi-day power outages that make air conditioning ineffective. Without electricity, people cannot use their air conditioners, putting a strain on already struggling power grids due to extreme weather events.

For example, Hurricane Ida in August 2021 left more than a million people in Louisiana without power, followed by a heat wave with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This combination of storms and heat waves is becoming increasingly common as the planet warms and causing more destructive weather patterns.

Weather-related issues cause 80% of major power outages in the U.S., according to a study by Climate Central. The aging power grid is not equipped to handle the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as storms and heat waves that can overload the system and lead to blackouts.

In cities like Phoenix, where extreme heat is already a challenge, power outages during a heat wave could lead to hospitalizations and deaths. Taking action to reduce pollution and address climate change is seen as the best long-term defense against extreme heat and weather-related power outages.