[fuckemem]

"cold" is quite broad though. That would cover refrigeration/ freezing which would be a much bigger impact than air con.

[tormeh]

They're literally the same thing. Only difference is how big the fridge is and how much power you dedicate.

[fuckemem]

With the title "The far-reaching effects of air conditioning" I didn't immediately think "Yup ... that's handy: frozen peas" even though the technology underlying them is the same.

[thaumasiotes]

Refrigeration allows you to preserve any kind of food and eat it at any time of year. It allows food to be shipped in to remote locations, which is important.

Air conditioning directly lets people live where they otherwise couldn't; it doesn't seem obvious that refrigeration is larger-impact.

[callmeed]

The chapter covers both. And they impact everything from food to politics.