More than a billion people struggle to stay cool as the Earth heats up

More than a billion people are threatened by a lack of air conditioning and refrigeration to maintain their freshness and preserve food and medicines, with global warming resulting in higher temperatures, according to a study released Monday. According to the report by the non-profit group Sustainable Energy for All, refrigerators, fans and other appliances will add to artificial climate change, unless generators switch from fossil fuels to cleaner energies.

Africa and Latin America – 470 million in rural areas and 630 million slum dwellers in cities – were threatened among the 7.6 billion people in the world, according to the report. The UN secretary general for sustainable energy for all told Reuters: "Simple solutions would help

," according to a survey of 52 countries. China, Mozambique, Sudan, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh said:

"We must provide cooling in a super efficient manner," said Mr Kyte

. in Karachi, Pakistan, in 2015. During a heatwave in May, more than 60 people died in Karachi when the heat exceeded 40 ° C (Akhtar Soomro / Reuters)

companies could find big markets. the development of low-cost, high-efficiency air conditioners for growing middle clbades in tropical countries

; and simpler solutions, such as painting white roofs to reflect sunlight or redesigning buildings to allow the heat to escape. ] 38,000 additional deaths per year

According to the UN health agency, climate change-related heat stress could cause an additional 38,000 deaths a year in the world between 2030 and 2050.

] In May, more than 60 people died in Karachi, Pakistan, when the heat rose above 40 ° C.

In tropical countries, many people lack electricity and clinics are often unable to store vaccines or drugs that need to be refrigerated, according to the study. And in the slums of cities, the electricity supply is often intermittent.

Many farmers or fishermen, for their part, do not have access to a "cold chain" to preserve and transport products to the markets. The fresh fish will keep in a few hours if stored at 30 ° C, but stays cool for days when it is cooled.

Last week, a study from the University of Birmingham in Britain predicted that the number of refrigerating appliances could quadruple, resulting in an increase in energy consumption.