Transcript:
Keeping a cold atmosphere warms the climate.
For decades, most refrigerators and air conditioners have used refrigerators called HFCS, which are powerful global warming gases.
Morgan Vanzo of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Commission said a lot of HFC pollution comes from supermarkets.
Vanzo: “Supermarkets are very large refrigeration systems. …and because of all the complexity and size of these systems, unfortunately they have inherent floor drains.”
According to her group, refrigeration leaks in supermarkets in the United States cause warm climate pollution that burns more than 30 million tons of coal every year.
There are some steps that stores can take to reduce leakage. But Van Zoe said the best solution is to use a system that operates with a better climate refrigerant than gases.
Vanzo: “And the technology is there and ready to be deployed. …We just need to help the industry transition.”
The upfront cost of making a conversion can be a burden, especially for small independent businesses and stores operating in low-income communities.
So her group advocates funding programs that can help shops invest to keep groceries cold – without heating the planet.
Report Credit: Sarah Kennedy/Chavobart Digital Media
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