Air conditioning in the Tropics: cool comfort or cultural conditioning?

Since the combustion of fossil fuels is the leading causative factor in global climate change, the "Westernmodel'' of adopting energy-using technologies and using ever-greater amounts of energy will have important consequences for the future of human life on the planet if it is transferred on a wholesale basis to the developing world. It is thus important to Uy to understand, in the context of global development. The factors which drive the increased application of energy-using technologies, and whether there might be ways to satisfy human needs while limiting the environmental damage due to increased energy usage. This paper explores the rapid growth in the use of air conditioners in two tropical countries; Ghana and Thailand. We first assess the energy impacts and capital requirements of this coming wave of technology adoption. The rapid growth in the use of air conditioners will represent a challenge for policy makers in both countries, who at a minimum must implement policies to improve their efficiency. However, we present evidence from Ghana and Thailand-based on empirical studies as well as personal experience that air conditioners are often not necessary and may in many cases cause discomfort for tropical people who are not culturally conditioned to the technology. In addition, we discuss trends toward Western nontraditional dress, which reduces thermal comfort of people in the tropics and creates the need for mechanical cooling. We conclude with some suggestions for policies to promote alternative ways of keeping cool in the tropics, including building codes that encourage appropriate elements of traditional design, and dressing patterns that promote natural cooling.