I agree, but does that describe the a/c units that folks are equipped with today? There's a big difference between "this problem can be solved" and "this problem has been solved."

Side note, I would love it if more a/c merely dried the air. I hate going into office buildings that are set 20C below the outdoor temperature.

Sure, this needs coordination - not saying that it's an easy solution.

> Side note, I would love it if more a/c merely dried the air.

Yeah - having a very light breeze and dry (but not too dry) air is all that's needed for the vast majority to not feel sweaty or even hot. I would only ever buy an a/c with an efficient dry-mode.

Right. So in a hypothetical world where everybody can afford to buy a new a/c unit, the risk that millions will die in a heat wave is negligible. Down here in the real world, it's a distinct possibility.

I think it would probably be enough to broadcast on media/news that people are not allowed to cool anymore