Will biosphere fever help us admit that the laws of biology take precedence over the laws of economics? As long as we believe that technological solutions alien to life are the way forward, we're unlikely to succeed. If Icarus had been able to install a cooling system on his wings, he would have gone just a little further before burning out. It was the intention that was the problem, not the wings.
Traditionally, educational establishments closed during the hot season, but now that this season is stretching out and they often operate in the summer too, they are seeing the effects of the heat on teaching and learning capabilities. Many educational establishments have undertaken substantial environmental actions with this in mind.
Air conditioning may be an easy solution, but it's not one everyone can afford, nor is it without consequences. Energy consumption for air-conditioning is constantly increasing and, like humans, many systems, such as computers, work better when cool. They also need to be cooled, as do foodstuffs and most of our so-called productive activities, all in a loop that amplifies the problem, since 3/4 of the energy consumed on earth is of fossil origin. The increase in renewable energy production does not even compensate for the increase in consumption...
Fortunately, solutions do exist, and the best ones are based on nature. Every plant, every insect, every animal is a biological force at work, whose only reward is the satisfaction of living. Jungles, even in the heart of cities, manage to air-condition their environment, as long as they have water. The proliferation of life on earth relies mainly on its ability to manage water, whether abundant, irregular or scarce. From the reserves of cacti or camels to the roots of baobabs or mangroves, from the moisture collectors of insects or those of páramos plants, nature shows us that there's no fatality we can't cope with.
We have some interesting projects ahead of us and, above all, some priorities to redefine.
Denys Lamontagne - [email protected]
