As most of you know, I am writing from Atlanta, GA. I am one of the few native Atlantans found here, as we were surpassed in population while I was still in college by out of town visitors who end up staying here. Most of these transplants are “Yankees” who moved here for jobs, school, or to escape the harsh winters. After college, I moved around the country with my job to Indianapolis, Savannah, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and Montgomery before I chose to move back to my home. For those of you who have never had the chance to visit during July or August, believe me when I say that it is HOT. And not hot like it is in the desert, but a thick, sticky, sweltering heat. Having been in the desert near Las Vegas in July, dry heat does not even compare to the misery that a summer in Atlanta without air conditioning would be. I just had a new Carrier unit installed yesterday for my home, and keeping my cool, in the house, in the car, or at the pool, is very important to me, since I am VERY hot-natured. In fact, I sweat THINKING about going for a walk. The programmable thermostat I have keeps my home from burning up in the day, yet provides a conservation of energy, and more importantly to me, a conservation of funds from departing my checking account. I have taken the time to find out which cost-cutting methods will result in a larger pool of money from which I can retire, buy a new vehicle, or purchase the latest gadget that strikes my fancy. Call me selfish, but when it comes to conservation, the end result is all about ME.
Today, I was reading a piece on Time.com where the writer, Joe Klein, suggests that “both [Presidential] candidates call for an immediate 5 deg.F thermostat adjustment”. I had no idea that there were only two people running for the American Presidency, nor did I know that they were so concerned with the temperature of my home. His suggestion comes under the guise of conservation for the environment, since “air-conditioning is bad for the planet, and for national security, and for our balance-of-payments deficit.” If you are an anti-capitalist (using the term environmentalist to disguise your intentions), the global warming argument probably makes sense. Since no one has been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it exists, I am not a believer, but the other two negatives of using air conditioning are interesting, and I am not sure how A/C directly contributes to them. Luckily, there is no further explanation in the article. The piece goes on further to blame the “energy crisis” on George W. Bush’s lack of a call to sacrifice after the events of 9/11/01. Interesting.
