Special Project: The Cold, Hard Facts
Air conditioning has long been a fact of life in Florida, the nation's hottest state. Rising temperatures make it increasingly a matter of life and death
Part one: Lifesaver
Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira/WUFT News
As the hottest state in the nation grows hotter, air-conditioning, once a luxury, has become a lifesaver. Some Floridians still struggle to afford it.
Already the hottest state in the nation, Florida’s temperatures are projected to keep rising with emissions.
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Humans cooled their indoor spaces long before invention of A/C.
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Extreme heat is rising along with the state's prison population, yet three-quarters of Florida's prison beds are in unairconditioned dorms. -
The more we run AC, the more we contribute to the emissions warming the world, and the more we need the AC. -
From urban tree plantings to solutions inspired by the animal kingdom, nature offers some powerful ways to cool our communities and homes.
Project credits
- Design editor: Kylie Williams
- Visual editor and interactive graphics: Bonny Matejowsky
- Social media: Valentina Sandoval
- Faculty advisors: Cynthia Barnett and Ethan Magoc
- Additional editing: Kristin Moorehead and Kylie Williams
- For questions, please reach out to Cynthia Barnett
