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Social media data shed light on air-conditioning interest of heat-vulnerable regions and sociodemographic groups.

ABSTRACT: Cooling homes with air conditioners is a vital adaptation approach, but the wider adoption of air conditioners can increase hydrofluorocarbon emissions that have high global warming potential and carbon emissions as a result of more fossil energy consumption. The scale and scope of future cooling demand worldwide are, however, uncertain because the extent and drivers of air-conditioning adoption remain unclear. Here, using 2021 and 2022 Facebook and Instagram data from 113 countries, we investigate the usability of social media advertising data to address these data gaps in relation to the drivers of air-conditioning adoption. We find that social media data might represent air-conditioning purchasing trends. Globally, parents of small children and middle-aged, highly educated married or cohabiting males tend to express greater interest in air-conditioning adoption. In regions with high heat vulnerability yet little empirical data on cooling demand (e.g., the Middle East and North Africa), these sociodemographic factors play a more prominent role. These findings can strengthen our understanding of future cooling demand for more sustainable cooling management.

SUBMITTER: Eker S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10140935 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Social media data shed light on air-conditioning interest of heat-vulnerable regions and sociodemographic groups.

Eker Sibel S Mastrucci Alessio A Pachauri Shonali S van Ruijven Bas B

One earth (Cambridge, Mass.) 20230401 4

Cooling homes with air conditioners is a vital adaptation approach, but the wider adoption of air conditioners can increase hydrofluorocarbon emissions that have high global warming potential and carbon emissions as a result of more fossil energy consumption. The scale and scope of future cooling demand worldwide are, however, uncertain because the extent and drivers of air-conditioning adoption remain unclear. Here, using 2021 and 2022 Facebook and Instagram data from 113 countries, we investig ...[more]

PMID: 37128238

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Project description:ImportanceThere is a large body of epidemiologic evidence that heat is associated with increased risk of mortality. One of the most effective strategies to mitigate the effects of heat is through air conditioning (AC); Texas regulates the internal temperature of jails to stay between 65 and 85 °F degrees, but these same standards do not apply to state and private prisons.ObjectiveTo analyze whether heat during warm months is associated with an increased risk of mortality in Texas prisons without AC.Design, setting, and participantsThis case-crossover study included individuals who died in Texas prisons between 2001 and 2019. The association of heat in warm months with mortality in Texas prisons with and without AC was estimated. Data analysis was conducted from January to April 2022.ExposuresIncreasing daily heat index above 85 °F and extreme heat days (days above the 90th percentile heat index for the prison location).Main outcomes and measuresDaily mortality in Texas prisons.ResultsThere were 2083 and 1381 deaths in prisons without and with AC, respectively, during warm months from 2001 to 2019. Most of the deceased were male (3339 of 3464 [96%]) and the median (IQR) age at death was 54 (45-62) years. A 1-degree increase above 85 °F heat index and an extreme heat day were associated with a 0.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-1.3%) and a 15.1% (95% CI, 1.3%-30.8%) increase in the risk of mortality in prisons without AC, respectively. Approximately 13% of mortality or 271 deaths may be attributable to extreme heat during warm months between 2001 to 2019 in Texas prison facilities without AC. In prisons with AC, a negative percentage change in mortality risk was observed, although the 95% CI crossed zero (percentage change in mortality risk: -0.6%; 95% CI, -1.6% to 0.5%). The estimates in prisons without AC were statistically different than the estimates in prisons with AC (P = .05).Conclusions and relevanceThis study found an average of 14 deaths per year between 2001 to 2019 were associated with heat in Texas prisons without AC vs no deaths associated with heat in prisons with AC. Adopting an AC policy in Texas prisons may be important for protecting the health of one of our most vulnerable populations.

Project description:This study aims to explore the state-wise assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic spread in Malaysia with focus on influence of meteorological parameters and air quality. In this study, state-wise COVID-19 data, meteorological parameters and air quality index (AQI) were collected from March 13 to April 30, 2020, which encompass three movement control order (MCO) periods in the country. Overall, total infected cases were observed to be higher in MCO phase 1 and 2 and significantly reduced in MCO phase 3. Due to the variation in the spatial interval of population density and individual immunity, the relationship of these parameters to pandemic spread could not be achieved. The study infers that temperature (T) between 23 and 25 °C and relative humidity (RH) (70-80%) triggered the pandemic spread by increase in the infected cases in northern and central Peninsular Malaysia. Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur and WP Putrajaya show significantly high infected cases and a definite trend was not observed with respect to a particular meteorological factor. It is identified that high precipitation (PPT), RH and good air quality have reduced the spread in East Malaysia. A negative correlation of T and AQI and positive correlation of RH with total infected cases were found during MCO phase 3. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that T, RH, PPT, dew point (DP) and AQI are the main controlling factors for the spread across the country apart from social distancing. Vulnerability zones were identified based on the spatial analysis of T, RH, PPT and AQI with reference to total infected cases. Based on time series analysis, it was determined that higher RH and T in Peninsular Malaysia and high amount of PPT, RH and good air quality in East Malaysia have controlled the spreading during MCO phase 3. The predominance of D614 mutant was observed prior to March and decreases at the end of March, coinciding with the fluctuation of meteorological factors and air quality. The outcome of this study gives a general awareness to the public on COVID-19 and the influence of meteorological factors. It will also help the policymakers to enhance the management plans against the pandemic spreading apart from social distancing in the next wave of COVID-19.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10668-021-01719-z.

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Social media data shed light on air-conditioning interest of heat-vulnerable regions and sociodemographic groups.

Publications

Social media data shed light on air-conditioning interest of heat-vulnerable regions and sociodemographic groups.

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