The real reason I hate summer
Plus, a conservation win, the clean energy revolution, and cooling your home the smart way
If you know me, have worked with me, or have stood near me as I waited on a stifling subway platform, muttering angrily as sweat seeped from my every pore, you’ve heard me complain about summer.
In the past, I’ve chalked my hatred up to my heat sensitivity and disdain for thigh chafe. But to be honest, my summertime loathing has even deeper, more existential roots. It’s less, gross, another 90º day, and more, are we going to be okay out here?
Warming temperatures are a year-round issue, but summer often highlights the dire consequences of climate change — and amplifies my climate anxiety. It feels like an endless stream of headlines that, once again, we’ve hit another record-hot year. My hope and optimism dry up, and it feels like we’ve already lost.
But anxiety is a stellar liar, and it has a way of zooming in on bad news and tossing everything else to the side. It’s also known as cognitive distortions, or unhelpful (and usually untrue) thought patterns. In short: Feelings aren’t facts.
(To be clear, facts are facts, and those scary headlines are necessary to stay informed and fight for climate solutions. Yay for journalism.)
This year, my goal is to not let hot temps, air-conditioning guilt (more on that below), and scary climate news eclipse the fact that, by many accounts, we are still winning the climate crisis fight.
But if, like me, this reminder isn’t always enough, it might be time to tap into some other strategies to manage your mental health during the hot months ahead. My go-tos are morning walks, various breathing techniques, less social media, therapy, and, of course, good climate news.
Good Climate News
🐯 Two decades of Indian Tiger conservation efforts have yielded promising results.
💪 US states and cities are forging ahead with climate initiatives, despite setbacks at the federal level.
⚡️ Thanks to decreasing renewable energy costs, we’re in the midst of a clean energy revolution.
🕶️ California farmers unlocked a way to reduce groundwater usage and increase clean energy.
🐟 Can we suck carbon out of the ocean? These UK researchers aim to find out.
🧵 A global movement is inspiring people to save torn clothing from landfills.
What Should I Do About…Air Conditioning?
Ah, the cooling conundrum: As the planet gets hotter, we use more air conditioning. Which makes the planet hotter. So, how do we break the cycle?
Lazhari Herzallah, a PhD student at Central European University Vienna, with an MSc in mechanical engineering and energy, says that AC contributes to climate change through: