"(Singapore) is using energy inefficiently to protect its people from the heat, with the norm to have Air-Conditioned everything"
@smlx4 Singapore the "Air-Conditioned Nation" 😂
@lupyuen I read somewhere, think it may have been in straits Times, that because it is an island state & the large number of tall buildings in a small area & when it blows from the sea, the wind gets stuck between the buildings which causes the increase of heat as the air becomes stagnant. It also increases the need for air conditioning in the already humid tropical climate.
I work with energy optimization of large buildings, and a couple of years ago we offered a system to a large company in Sweden. End of it; "No thanks, we have decided to buy green electricity instead."
Not sure how they verify that the electrons that they receive are green.
@niclas @Sophistifunk@noagendasocial.com @lupyuen what’s green electricity really - is that electricity produced from solar, wind, some forms of biomass, etc?
As I understand, options to switch to green power are steadily growing, so no matter where people live, there’s opportunities to make an energy choice that supports a clean energy future.
I always thought that Sweden was at the forefront in terms of environment & innovation.
Electricity producers sell "green electricity" at a premium and "ordinary electricity" at the regular price.
The thought is that if more people choose to pay the premium they need to build out the non-fossil fueled power generation.
But end of the day, the wind power mill sits on the same grid as the oil powered one. And I bet that if everyone chose "green electricity" tomorrow, they wouldn't say "Sorry, can not. There is none left".
@smlx4 @lupyuen There certainly a lot the Singapore could do to improve on the climate side, and reducing the amount of AC usage is one thing. However, pointing the finger at individual's use of AC is feels similar to how individuals are being told to fix the climate crisis by not using sraws.
It's part of directing attention away from the real climate criminals. The ones that are responsible for a vast majority of emissions.
@loke @lupyuen There’s a lot of finger pointing in many countries, especially the rich with resources. Everyone has to come to terms & realize that laws, use of science & expertise are needed as there’s only one planet to live on. The western world has to shoulder a large part of the work as they have used most of the resources for a better & more comfortable life for decades. Many developing countries need help to get on their feet.
@smlx4 @lupyuen Oh for sure. I absolutely don't want to give the SG government a free pass here.
My argument is that the current discuourse on the topic focuses a lot on making individuals feel responsible. "turn off the lights", "don't use straws", "take the stairs instead of the lift" (the last one is good advice, but not for climate reasons).
@lupyuen I remember when I came and met you a while ago, the IETF meeting rooms where so cold that we had to wear hoodies... A/C is nice but the setpoint is important 😂
@lupyuen Having the norm to air-condition everything is not going to help Singapore to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, unfortunately. It’s rather the opposite considering the amount of energy that takes.