International. World Refrigeration Day celebrates the people and technologies responsible for creating and maintaining the world we live in, a world that depends on temperature-controlled environments. Centered around June 26, the event has global support from industry, professional groups, scientific and engineering associations, as well as governments and individuals.
The WRD 21 campaign will focus on racing in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry and is titled "Refrigeration Champions: Great Races for a Better World." The aim of the campaign is to inspire students and young professionals, both men and women, in all countries, encouraging them to face the challenges that lie ahead in their communities.
Following successful campaigns over the past two years, the WRD Secretariat will continue to partner with UNEP Ozone Action in the WRD 21 campaign to attract a new generation of Cooling Champions. The campaign includes other partners representing the industry and professionals from around the world. The full list of partners and the campaign program will be announced in the coming weeks.
Approximately 12 million people are employed worldwide in the refrigeration sector. The total number of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems in operation worldwide is around 3 billion. Those systems provide the conditions we require for health, comfort, worker productivity, manufacturing, and essential environments for food, pharmaceuticals, and digital data. Dedicated professionals design, build, maintain and regulate them, as well as educate a new generation of professionals.
Opportunities within the industry abound for young people with a wide range of career aspirations. It is necessary to implement advanced cooling technologies to expand the environmental conditions required by life, while meeting the sustainability requirements of international ozone and climate protection agreements. It takes a new generation of cooling champions —engineers, technicians, researchers, educators, policy experts, and executives—to create the controlled environments that modern life requires. The benefits of reaching a wide diversity of communities in search of promising talent will be one of the top priorities of the campaign.
