The Frontal Cortex

Well, how much power (and water) do these misters use? Don't get me wrong, I'm no big fan of air conditioning (and I find it especially depressing that so many places are air conditioned even to the point that they become uncomfortably cold). But can we judge this technology before we know what the damage is?

Posted by: Katherine Sharpe | August 17, 2006 1:19 PM

In principle, I don't object to this. In practice, they are being irresponsible with resource usage. There's no reason we can't change our environment for comfort, but it's usually not conducive to the common good. Using 300+ litres of water an hour (plus electrical costs) isn't such a case, from where I sit.

I wouldn't call them idiots for wanting a cooler backyard; I'd call them idiots for thinking they have a "right" to such a thing and can use public resources to do so in the manner that they are.

Posted by: Geoff Wozniak | August 17, 2006 1:32 PM

I'm a bit concerned with the attitudes expressed here. I think as we look towards the future we need to see the idea of consumption as a good thing. Anti-Nuclear bigotry and the admonition to conserve just isn't going to cut it anymore. Maybe we need to consider some changes to how we deliver goods (it does seem silly to evaporate potable water for cooling, but it sounds like a GREAT use for rough filtered greywater) and what price we sell them at, but we're never going to move on to the next level (post oil) without real sources of energy. That means in the short term nuclear and in the long term solar. And if we get enough power for cheap enough then water becomes a non-issue and we can just freakin' get on with it.

Posted by: ryan | August 17, 2006 3:50 PM

I'll admit: I'm surprised by all the dissenting comments. But you all make excellent points, and I regret my use of "idiot". In general, I'm all in favor of letting the market work its irrational course; if people want to buy misters and industrial AC units, then so be it. However, what annoys me about these individuals is that they get upset at hot summers but live in the desert. I mean, if the heat bothers you that much, then move somewhere else. I live in New England. I would love to heat my porch in January - I yearn for outside air in the winter - but I don't do it. Why? Because it's wasteful and unnecessary. I know I live in a cold continental climate. I just wish desert dwellers could realize that living in Phoenix, or Las Vegas, or Palm Desert, also entails a little climactic compromise. You shouldn't have gloriously green lawns or huge fountains or inject 60 gallons of drinkable water into the afternoon air every hour. Of course, there is little the rest of us can do but condemn the plethora of golf courses in Arizona or hotel lakes in Vegas. The American Southwest has already been built; the Colorado river has already been destroyed.

Posted by: Jonah | August 17, 2006 5:45 PM

Well using evaporation for cooling in dry climates, has been used for a very long time. Until recently most (indoor) space cooling was via evaporative cooling. You are probably using outdoor evaporative cooling via the use of grass. Some people are pushing for "green roofing" -planting grass gardens on urban rooftops, to reduce coolig demand, and reduce the urban heat island effect. Personally I think that money is mis-spent, a few gallons of white paint would provide more cooling at a fraction of the cost.
In any case, it is true that the southwest is constrained by a limited supply of water- a little wastage here, simply means that the maximum sustainable population is a little bit lower- and it will be a lot easier to force people to shut off their misters, then to force the excess population out, come the next drought.

Posted by: bigTom | August 17, 2006 11:45 PM