Turning on the AC Outdoors.

• Position: CLIMATE

Things are really heating up in Qatar.

Temperatures in the small, rich Middle Eastern country can top 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and at night, they rarely dip below 90. To help people survive the potentially deadly heat, Qatar has begun air-conditioning outside spaces, including markets, stadiums, sidewalks, and dining areas. But experts point out that this tactic is part of a vicious cycle: Using air-conditioning creates carbon emissions, which cause temperatures to rise even faster, creating an even greater need for air-conditioning. But for Qatar and...