Buro Happold 'In Conversation' Series One: How to stay cool and save the planet

Feeling a bit hot? You may need to adjust your expectations – as the world heats up, our idea of what a comfortable temperature is, is going to change. In this episode, Buro Happold’s specialists in heating and cooling discuss the fact that worldwide use of air conditioning is likely to triple by 2050, making it one of the major sources of electricity demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The impact of this growth on the environment is particularly concerning. However, new technology means air conditioning solutions will look very different in 30 years’ time. District cooling, passive design and ambient heat loops all have a role to play in the new, hotter, “normal”, but alongside technological solutions, we also have to look at our behaviour, and how to adjust to manage the heat. With insight from some of Buro Happold's energy team, including Lara Balazs, James Dickinson, Nick Boid and Adam Dyson.