'Extreme heat stunts development'

A man walks past a slew of air conditioners for sale at a market in Kolkata, India.

A man walks past a slew of refurbished air conditioners for sale at a market in Kolkata, India

(Image credit: Rupak De Chowdhuri / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

published 7 October 2024

'Air conditioning is a moral imperative'

The Washington Post editorial board

Air conditioning "transformed the world," but the "technology remains unacceptably scarce," says The Washington Post editorial board. The "idea of ubiquitous climate control might strike some in the environmental movement as immoral." But for "billions of people in poorer, hotter countries," air conditioning "will be a necessity, not a luxury." The "project to combat climate change cannot condemn billions to broil." The "response to the challenges confronting the world" must "include expanding access to lifesaving air conditioning."

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The "immigration issue isn't just a policy wonk debate," says Isaac Willour. If people "believe that international adoption to America is a good thing, we are inherently affirming that the American experiment is capable of and worthy of assimilation." Government gridlock has "resulted in real people being cut out of their deserved right to citizenship." If we "care about America making good on its promises to its people, it's far past time to remedy that."

The "ideological seeds of extremism were planted long before freshman orientation — and usually paid for with public tax dollars," says Nicole Neily. What has "unfolded in higher education is the culmination of lessons taught during our students' K-12 years, by elementary and high-school educators who have allowed antisemitism to flourish under the banner of progressive ideals." This has "conditioned our students to view society through the lens of constant conflict and subjugation."

The world is "confronting a 'polycrisis' — many dire crises occurring simultaneously," say Shereen Talaat and Dan Beeton. Responses "from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to these crises are being scrutinized, and for good reason." The IMF is "making the crises even worse by forcing its most indebted borrowers to pay extra fees." Rich countries "could put a check on the IMF's power and greed by supporting an end to the surcharge policy."

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Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.