Ako sam u toploj zemlji, ne trebam klimatizaciju arktičkog nivoa, hvala.

A traveler visiting Singapore during a sweltering July day found themselves shivering inside a hotel room despite temperatures outside reaching 33 degrees Celsius and humidity levels akin to a Finnish sauna. The air conditioner's thermostat was set to 19 degrees, creating a stark contrast with the heat outside. After adjusting the temperature slightly, the traveler returned later to find the setting reverted to 19 degrees by housekeeping staff. This recurring experience highlights a broader issue within Singapore, where indoor spaces often maintain excessively low temperatures, even though the country is among the hottest and most humid globally. Singapore's reliance on air conditioning dates back to the vision of its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, who promoted widespread use of cooling systems to enhance productivity. Today, air conditioning constitutes approximately 60 percent of energy used in commercial buildings and around 24 percent of household energy consumption, making it one of the highest rates in Asia for cooling purposes. Many air conditioners utilize hydrofluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases, alongside substantial electricity drawn from fossil fuels. This dependency exacerbates environmental concerns, particularly given that over 90 percent of Singapore's energy comes from fossil fuel imports, primarily from the Middle East. Efforts to mitigate this situation have been prompted by recent fuel crises in the Middle East, leading the Singapore government to mandate that government offices set their air conditioning to 25 degrees. However, hotels seem resistant to similar measures, with multiple visits revealing default settings still at 19 degrees. Housekeeping staff might prefer maintaining lower temperatures during their duties, although travelers often end up turning off the air conditioning altogether due to discomfort caused by thick doonas or duvets without sheets, which can make nights too warm. Across the globe, the disparity in air conditioning usage becomes evident. In Europe, where historical climates were generally cooler, the adoption of air conditioning has been slower compared to regions like the United States. For example, in the UK, less than 4 percent of homes use air conditioning. Right-wing political groups such as France's National Rally and the UK Conservatives have advocated for increased air conditioning access, framing it as a response to governmental restrictions on climate action. Their arguments suggest that European resistance to air conditioning stems from regulatory burdens rather than climatic conditions. Historically, European cities rarely exceeded 30 degrees Celsius before 2020, rendering air conditioning unnecessary for most residents. Much of the existing housing stock predates the development of modern air conditioning technology, further complicating its integration into current infrastructure. As global temperatures rise, the debate surrounding air conditioning usage continues to evolve, reflecting both environmental challenges and cultural preferences shaped by historical climate patterns.