How science will keep us cool

Today, fridges are regarded as essential appliances in the Western world and, as the planet heats up, the use of air conditioning in the UK and other countries with previously temperate climates is expected to soar. There is, however, a flip side to these cooling technologies: they contribute significantly to climate change. So the technology we’re increasingly relying on to survive on a warming Earth is making our planet even warmer. Read the article to find out about the development of climate-friendly cooling technologies to help resolve this climate conundrum. Download the classroom resource to challenge your 14–16 year-old learners to cool water without using electricity, only the endothermic reaction of citric acid and sodium hydrogencarbonate.