In a Warming World, Air Conditioning Is a Necessary Evil. Or Is it?

As carbon emissions push Earth’s average temperature to new heights and usher in unprecedented heat waves, humanity’s reliance on air conditioning is growing. The trouble is, AC consumes massive amounts of energy and—due to the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels—emits lots of carbon.

Overcoming this feedback loop presents a significant engineering challenge that is becoming increasingly urgent as the world warms. Enter passive cooling: non-mechanical approaches to lowering indoor temperatures.

2026 Newly Elected Members of World Academy of Art and Science

In July, WAAS announced the results of its 2026 elections. Six new Trustees were elected, while two Trustees were re-elected. The Academy also elected 25 new Fellows and six new Associate Fellows, and re-elected one Associate Fellow and seven Junior Fellows.