Is air conditioning the answer to extreme heat?

From The Climate Question by BBC World Service

August 16, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of increased air conditioning use due to climate change and explores alternative cooling solutions.

Experts say we may now need to spend more on cooling our homes than heating them because of climate change. In fact, the International Energy Agency thinks the equivalent of 10 new air conditioners every second will be installed for the next 30 years! This surge in air con will put strain on the world’s electricity grids, which are still mostly powered by fossil fuels. The units also pump heat into the streets outside our homes – making cities feel even hotter when we step outside. But there are alternative options – like redesigning houses to include more shading and increase the air flow, or using fans and misting systems. We could also plant more trees or even change the colours of our homes to reflect more sunlight! In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Graihagh Jackson talks to BBC Tokyo Correspondent, Kurumi Mori, and Radhika Khosla, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Oxford. Got a question for The Climate Question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com Producers: Diane Richardson and Melanie Stewart-Smith Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Ricardo McCarthy Editor: Simon Watts

People in this episode

Host: Graihagh Jackson

Guests: Kurumi Mori, Radhika Khosla

Topics covered

air conditioning
climate change
extreme heat
energy consumption
urban design
sustainability

Keywords

air conditioning
climate change
energy consumption
urban heat
sustainability
cooling solutions
environmental science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: International Energy Agency, University of Oxford, BBC World Service