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The world's carbon-dioxide problem doesn't just affect the atmosphere — the gas is starting to fill our homes, schools, and offices, too.
Indoor levels of the gas are projected to climb so high, in fact, that they could cut people's ability to do complex cognitive tasks in half by the end of the century.
That prediction comes from three scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Pennsylvania, who presented their findings last week at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The study is still under peer review but available online in the repository Earth ArXiv.
The findings show that, if global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continue to rise on their current trajectory, the concentration of CO2 in the air could more than double by 2100. Based on measurements of how humans function in spaces with that much CO2, the scientists warn, we could find ourselves scoring 50% lower on measures of complex thought by the end of the century.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by JoeMerchant on Monday February 17 2020, @01:38PM (4 children)
Not the way they're built around here. In the last 30 years the percentage of "fixed glass" installation has skyrocketed, while older windows mechanisms have been neglected and often "painted shut."
Homes 60+ years ago had excellent window opening/closing mechanisms - well balanced double sashes that opened and closed at a slight touch, casements (with admittedly maintenance hungry mechanisms) that would catch the breeze when it flowed perpendicular to the exterior wall. Even the awning windows had robust gears and hinges with intentional lubrication channels.
The advent of ubiquitous HVAC has put a severe downward pressure on the quality/durability of mass produced window opening mechanisms. Simple: they don't make 'em like they used to - at least around here. I have seen some really impressive modern units in Scandinavia / Northern Europe - might actually be worth the cost of importing if they ever figure out a good way to integrate insect screening.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 17 2020, @08:54PM (3 children)
Around here being America?
Around here, every office has a window that opens, never mind for houses. Every single pane window in my apartment opens. Every single one. The only exception is a 15cm wide addition next to one of the balcony doors. And as you may have guessed, this is not America here. I'm in Germany. Also, I can walk to store and live 20 minute slow walk from my work and pay USD$1000/mo for my apartment (3 rooms).
So yes, it may be understood that housing in America has gone the cheap route as people are generally allergic to outdoors, but America is not the world. Far from it. Vast majority of the world population breathes outdoor or close to outdoor air.
As for window mechanisms, you get what you pay for. If you want a "picture window", that's what you get. And you pay less for no mechanism and sealed existence.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 17 2020, @09:33PM
but, but how do you get your cancer then?
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday February 18 2020, @02:16AM
And I refer to not only Germany but all of Northern Europe and Scandinavia as having good opening window mechanisms with decent insulation properties I might add - but serious lack of insect screening most places.
Not per capita, no, but per net ton of CO2 emitted, we're an impressive #2 after China, and one could convincingly argue that the CO2 China emits on behalf of US consumers would swing the US to the #1 spot in the contest of CO2 emission shame.
🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 2) by Rich on Tuesday February 18 2020, @05:09PM
Sigh, I could have assumed that people who have a weird concept of "football" might also have a weird concept of "window"... ;)