[seizethegdgap]

I wouldn't say that buying stock in companies that provide air conditioners to consumers fits any definition of fixing the problem of man-made climate change. In fact, wouldn't a warmer planet be better for AC businesses?

[FredPret]

Why not - a well-funded AC company will be more capable of meeting the challenge, and since people demand green solutions to things now, also be more able to develop more efficient climate control systems.

This of course will not happen on autopilot, so investors must as always keep a close eye on the CEO and vote in shareholder meetings instead of just buying-and-forgetting.

It doesn't solve climate change of course, but it does make a tiny improvement to one aspect of it. Multiply by every company touching the climate, and you can effect real change.

[smileysteve]

Sure it would; Air conditioner margins are based on efficiencies; and a heat pump reduces emissions from less clean heat sources.

and from a more short term perspective;

slowing the migration of people from warm places to another will reduce the spike of resources required to house those people.