Hey guys, It's Madeline. Well, it seems like that lovely little spot of warm weather left us for at least the rest of the week. Still, those warm sunny days reminded me that summer is right around the corner, which means people are going to have to start turning on air conditioning pretty soon. However, if you stop to think about it, using the ac just uses more electricity, which is not only expensive but also leads to more Carbon Dioxide emissions. As a greenhouse gas, Carbon Dioxide contributes to global warming, so the huge spike in ac usage over the hottest days of summer actually just things even hotter in the long run. Ironic, no?
Here are some creative tips on how to stay cool in the summer without using ac, the kind that go beyond the standard "buy a fan and drink lots of water" advice. These are some creative ways to cut down on the power used to cool your house, or, in my case, help you keep cool in buildings with no air conditioner.
1. Soak a t-shirt or bandana in water and wear it to help you stay cool. It smells better than sweat!
2.Certain foods help the body cool down, like mint, cucumbers, and spicy food. That last one may seem like it would have the opposite effect, but in fact spicy food helps you cool down by making you sweat. That's why so many hotter regions of the world use lots of spices in their cuisine.
3. To keep cool while sleeping, place a pillow in the freezer during the day, and sleep on it at night.
4. Lay on the floor. Since hot air rises, the lower you are, the cooler you can be. Try to get as close to ground level as possible, or even below it in a basement or cellar.
5. Hang out with Professor Afullo in Kenya over the summer. After living through Kenya's summer and coming back home, living in Chicago will seem like a year round Antarctic retreat.