India's conundrum: Would a world with a billion more air conditioners be more comfortable or problematic?

RTI Radio Taiwan International RTI Radio Taiwan International

July 2023 was the hottest in history with severe heatwaves sweeping the world. In North America, the temperature exceeded 43.3 degree Celsius for 31 consecutive days in Phoenix, Arizona, the semiconductor city in the United States which not only posed a fatal threat to the safety of the residents but was also the longest heatwaves since the city was founded. Countries in Asia have also experienced temperature increases. South Kora observed a historically high temperature of 44.1 degree Celsius, and Thailand also set a new record of 45.4 degree Celsius. However, the country most affected by the heatwaves in Asia was India.