SXSW 2025
Urban Heat Islands and Breaking the Cooling Doom Loop
Description:
As global temperatures continue to rise, much of the population will suffer extreme heat levels. Additionally, global urbanization and rapid adoption of air conditioning units only further exacerbate this problem. This panel will discuss key trends in the warming climate, including urban heat islands and increasing pressure on electrical grids. It will also look at possible solutions for transitioning to lower impact refrigerants, smart urban planning and citizen support, sustainable cooling solutions, and new technologies to detect dangerous emissions.
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Takeaways
- Urban heat island intensification, growing urban land expansion, & rising global surface temperatures present significant risks.
- The world is now facing a doom loop—rising temperatures lead to higher AC utilization rates, leading to increased energy consumption and waste heat.
- Fortunately, there are tangible solutions that can break the urban heat island doom loop.
Speakers
- Emily Holden, Founder, Floodlight
- Karen Jones, Senior Space Policy Analyst, The Aerospace Corporation
- Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Director, Environmental Investigation Agency US
- Andrew Liu, Product Sustainability Strategy Leader, The Chemours Company
Organizer
Victoria Woodburn, Communications Strategic Partner, The Aerospace Corporation
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