As Europe reels from record heatwave, why air-conditioning has become a political flashpoint
Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40°C and France reporting 1,000 excess deaths since June 20. This crisis has sparked a political debate over air-conditioning, as the far-right National Rally Party in France proposes a national plan to equip schools and hospitals with AC units, alongside €20 billion in interest-free loans for households. The heatwave, affecting over 150 million people, has been linked to human-caused climate change, intensifying discussions on energy demand and public health needs.