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France Swelters: Air-Con Debate Heats Up
24 Jun
Summary
- France's low household air-con use contrasts with other nations.
- Environmentalists reconsider their 'anti-clim' dogma due to heat.
- Political parties propose different national air-conditioning plans.
France is facing a significant shift in its approach to air conditioning amid soaring temperatures. Currently, only 25% of French households utilize air-conditioning, far below figures in Spain, Italy, and the US. This week, record-breaking temperatures nearing 40C have led to school closures and intolerable conditions in hospitals and homes, driving a rush for portable cooling units.
Traditionally, environmentalist groups have opposed air-conditioning, viewing it as a palliative measure that distracts from addressing the root causes of global warming and can even exacerbate it through electricity consumption and refrigerant gases. However, prominent figures within the Green movement now acknowledge that air-conditioning is becoming unavoidable, especially in critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals.
Political debate over 'la clim' is intensifying. Marine Le Pen's National Rally advocates for a nationwide plan to equip all schools and hospitals with air-conditioning, alongside subsidized loans for households. Conversely, some government policies and building norms aim to make air-conditioning unnecessary through insulation and advanced air circulation. Regional leaders, like Valerie Pécresse of the Paris region, are pushing for air-conditioning in public transport, aiming for all buses and trains to be equipped by 2032.
