I'm no greenie, Bonzo, I assure you. I've just this very morning taken delivery of a ton of smokeless fuel for my two stoves for the winter, as well as a dozen very large bags of kiln-dried wood. I drive a diesel Focus. The rude and uncalled-for post of 05.45 AM (from a person I try to avoid addressing here - oh, that she'd do the same...) completely misses the point of what I'm saying. Nowhere have I said that individual emergencies shouldn't be addressed, and I gave the example of hospital wards where AC technology is highly appropriate, and there will be lots of other examples. I'm talking about the widespread assumption in western countries, and increasingly, worryingly, in India and China, that AC is a valid convenience to be used routinely in homes and workplaces whenever the temperature goes up. And I'll make the point also that the projected number of AC units worldwide of six billion in a few years' time is going to make the temperature go up for everybody on the planet, irrespective of whether they can resort to convenient fast-chilling technology.

To question a tip for keeping cool that has been raised here is not hijacking the thread. It is very much on-topic, whether it goes down well with some people or not. I try to discuss these things in a general way without attacking individuals. Nobody says you have to agree, but we can discuss it civilly if we like.