Human cooling solutions: alternatives to conventional cooling solutions

To break the cycle of traditional air conditioning, rising carbon emissions, and increasing urban heat, a fundamental redesign of how humans achieve thermal comfort is essential. This review explores emerging technological trends in alternative cooling solutions from two perspectives. First, localized or personal cooling devices are gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to conventional space cooling. However, current technologies remain insufficient to fully replace traditional air conditioning. This review examines the limitations of commercial personal cooling devices and highlights advancements aiming to bridge this gap. Second, given the improbability of personal cooling entirely replacing space cooling in the near future, alternative large-scale cooling approaches must also be considered. This review discusses current and emerging cooling cycles, along with complementary technologies designed to enhance energy efficiency, including district cooling, radiative cooling, cooling paints, and the integration of green spaces.