India's Old Cooling Ideas Face a Hotter Future

Many old Indian homes stayed cooler without using air conditioners all the time.

They used shade, thick walls, courtyards and windows placed to catch breezes.

Modern apartment buildings often have more glass, fewer balconies and sealed windows.

This can make them hotter and increase air-conditioner use.

India already uses a lot of electricity for cooling, even though fewer than one in five homes has an air conditioner.

Experts say new buildings should block heat and encourage airflow before relying on machines.

These features may cost more to build, but they can save electricity later.

The goal is not to remove air conditioners, but to make them work less often.