How Hong Kong Became a Giant Refrigerator
Hong Kong uses an excessive amount of air conditioning, making it one of the highest per capita electricity consumers globally. This started with the first fully air-conditioned building in 1935 and became popular in homes by the 1970s, seen as a status symbol. Many commercial buildings set temperatures very low to attract customers and encourage shopping. A belief in traditional Chinese medicine that AC provides fresh air also contributes to overuse. However, ACs can spread infections and often recirculate dirty air. The cost of electricity is cheap for large businesses, giving them no incentive to reduce AC use. This overuse contributes to the urban heat island effect and global carbon emissions, creating a negative cycle. Solutions include more efficient AC units, better building designs, and stronger government policies, but people also need to change their habits.
Key Vocabulary
A situational comedy, a genre of television show that features a recurring cast of characters in humorous situations.
Examples:
- My favorite sitcom always ends with a funny, heartwarming moment.
- The new sitcom about a family of aliens trying to blend in has gained a lot of popularity.
- Many classic sitcoms are still enjoyed by audiences today, decades after their original airing.
To cause something, especially air or liquid, to circulate again through a system or area.
Examples:
- The building's ventilation system was designed for recirculating the heated air to save energy.
- To maintain water quality, the pond uses a pump for recirculating the water through a filter.
- The car's air conditioning system was set to recirculating mode to cool the cabin quickly.
Large, bustling cities that are often economic, cultural, or political centers of a country or region.
Examples:
- The world's largest metropolises face unique challenges related to infrastructure and population density.
- Many young professionals are drawn to metropolises for career opportunities and diverse cultural experiences.
- The ancient metropolises of the past were marvels of engineering and urban planning.
The established set of attitudes held by someone, influencing their perceptions and responses.
Examples:
- Adopting a growth mindset can significantly improve one's ability to learn and overcome challenges.
- The team's success was largely due to their positive and collaborative mindset.
- Changing a long-held mindset can be difficult, but it often leads to new opportunities.
Experiences of severe suffering or difficulty.
Examples:
- Despite many tribulations, the explorer continued his journey with unwavering determination.
- The company faced numerous tribulations during its early years, but eventually found success.
- The story detailed the trials and tribulations of a young artist striving for recognition.
Relating to or denoting the regions bordering on the tropics, typically having hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Examples:
- The subtropical climate is ideal for growing certain types of fruit.
- Many popular tourist destinations are located in subtropical zones due to their pleasant weather.
- The region's subtropical forests are home to a wide variety of unique plant and animal species.
Not causing surprise; to be expected.
Examples:
- Given his extensive training, his victory in the competition was unsurprising.
- It was unsurprising that the popular restaurant had a long waiting list on a Saturday night.
- After weeks of preparation, the successful launch of the new product was unsurprising.
Merchandise; goods or products that are sold, often related to a brand, event, or person.
Examples:
- Fans eagerly lined up to purchase the new band merch after the concert.
- The museum gift shop offered a wide range of merch inspired by its current exhibition.
- Online creators often sell custom merch to connect with their audience and support their work.
To become liquid or soft as a result of warming; to melt.
Examples:
- The frozen pipes began to thaw as the temperatures rose above freezing.
- After a long winter, the ground started to thaw, signaling the arrival of spring.
- The chef advised to let the frozen meat thaw completely before cooking it.
To add a component or accessory to something that was not originally fitted with it, or to modify something to incorporate new technology or features.
Examples:
- The company is retrofitting its older factories with new energy-efficient machinery.
- Retrofitting the historic building with modern insulation helped reduce its heating costs significantly.
- The city council approved a plan for retrofitting all public buses with cleaner engine technology.
Covered or wet with sweat; causing sweat.
Examples:
- After the intense workout, his shirt was completely sweaty.
- The humid weather made everyone feel hot and sweaty.
- She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans before giving the presentation.
Belonging to an earlier time.
Examples:
- The play evoked a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.
- Many traditional crafts from bygone days are being revived by new generations.
- He often reminisced about the simple pleasures of his bygone youth.
Becoming or making more intense, severe, or extreme.
Examples:
- The storm's winds were intensifying as it approached the coast.
- The competition between the two rival companies was steadily intensifying.
- The artist's use of color was intensifying, creating a more dramatic effect in the painting.
Not straight or level; asymmetrical or distorted in a particular direction.
Examples:
- The results of the survey were skewed by a disproportionate number of responses from one age group.
- The artist intentionally created a skewed perspective in the painting to challenge traditional viewpoints.
- His perception of the situation was skewed by his personal biases.
The period of summer.
Examples:
- The beach is a popular destination during the summertime.
- Many people enjoy outdoor activities during the long days of summertime.
- Summertime brings warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours.
Given an unofficial name or nickname to someone or something.
Examples:
- The new bridge was quickly dubbed 'The Skyway' by local residents.
- She was dubbed the 'Queen of Comedy' after her successful stand-up tour.
- The scientist's groundbreaking discovery was dubbed 'The Eureka Moment' by his colleagues.
Not made to be obeyed or put into practice; not enforced.
Examples:
- Despite the strict rules, many of them remained largely unenforced.
- The parking regulations in that area are often unenforced, leading to congestion.
- Without proper oversight, even well-intentioned policies can become unenforced.
Firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change.
Examples:
- The belief in hard work was deeply entrenched in the company culture.
- Old habits can become so entrenched that they are hard to break.
- The tradition had been entrenched in the community for centuries.
Referring to something previously mentioned.
Examples:
- The aforementioned report provides detailed statistics on the economic trends.
- Based on the aforementioned criteria, the candidate was selected for the position.
- The recipe requires all the aforementioned ingredients for the best results.
As appears or is stated to be true, though not necessarily so; allegedly.
Examples:
- The ancient artifact was purportedly discovered in a hidden tomb.
- The new diet plan purportedly helps you lose weight quickly without exercise.
- He purportedly holds the record for the fastest marathon time, though it is not officially verified.