Beating the Heat, European Style
It is HOT here, with every day in the 90's and some just pushing into the 100's. Of course, as an American, it seems cooler as everyone is using Centigrade, so were talking about highs in the upper 30's.
Anyhow, the crux of the matter is: there is hardly anywhere here in Germany with air conditioning. We do have a couple of rooms at work that are always air-conditioned, but that is due to the computer servers that are running there. They would burn up without it. However, air conditioning is so prevalent in the United States, even in the northern states in the summer, that it does take a little while to get used to life without it, especially when the temps are pushing 40.
"But Chris," you may ask, "how do you keep so cool?" Well, it takes a combination of lots of fluids, shade and good ventilation. (And a trip to the Biergarten in the evening doesn't hurt!) It is probably what folks in the United States did 50 years ago (minus the Biergarten). And just think of the amount of energy that is expended in America upon air conditioning. It is the stuff that makes like in places like Phoenix or Las Vegas possible.
I agree with Jim Kunstler, who thinks that the sun belt won't be sustainable in the coming energy crisis, which he calls "The Long Emergency". Air conditioning will again become a luxury for the few with the means to use it.
Anyhow, the crux of the matter is: there is hardly anywhere here in Germany with air conditioning. We do have a couple of rooms at work that are always air-conditioned, but that is due to the computer servers that are running there. They would burn up without it. However, air conditioning is so prevalent in the United States, even in the northern states in the summer, that it does take a little while to get used to life without it, especially when the temps are pushing 40.
"But Chris," you may ask, "how do you keep so cool?" Well, it takes a combination of lots of fluids, shade and good ventilation. (And a trip to the Biergarten in the evening doesn't hurt!) It is probably what folks in the United States did 50 years ago (minus the Biergarten). And just think of the amount of energy that is expended in America upon air conditioning. It is the stuff that makes like in places like Phoenix or Las Vegas possible.
I agree with Jim Kunstler, who thinks that the sun belt won't be sustainable in the coming energy crisis, which he calls "The Long Emergency". Air conditioning will again become a luxury for the few with the means to use it.
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