“When I was a child, I didn’t consider air conditioners a necessity. They were more of a luxury. Most households I knew that could afford to run their air conditioning were what I considered ‘rich.’ Today, I no longer see it that way. The heat has become unbearable if you’re not in an air-conditioned room. In December 2024 and January 2025, there were only a few days when the temperature dropped below 37 degrees Celsius. People who cannot afford to run their air conditioning during the day and who have children at home during the summer holidays sometimes prefer to take them to places like the shopping mall, where they can spend a few hours away from the blazing sun, since being outdoors can be dangerous. This is not normal; it cannot be. But I don’t know how to stop it. Or what we can do about it. Except turn on the air conditioning.”
(2025)
– Alejandra Acuña Balbuena (2025)
URBAN HEAT IN GREATER ASUNCIÓN AREA
Since 1990, the number of heatwaves in Paraguay has tripled, and it is estimated that the national average temperature will rise by 2°C by 2050—and by 4°C by 2100.¹ Forecasts predict a 21.6% increase in heat-related deaths, a doubling of hospital admissions, and a tripling of doctor visits²
AIR CONDITIONING – PROBLEM AND SOLUTION?
Air conditioning is increasingly becoming a necessity, which highlights how important alternative urban adaptation measures are. On the one hand, air conditioners consume large amounts of energy. On the other hand, they also release additional heat. Continuous operation therefore leads to a feedback effect in which the city continues to heat up.
With a projected warming of the Greater Asunción area of 1.6–5.9°C, private electricity consumption is expected to increase by 4–12.5%.⁴
