Europe continues to rely on alternatives to air conditioning even as deadly heat waves claim lives across the continent. Officials argue that expanding air conditioning is not a long-term solution.
France’s record-breaking heat last week has been linked to about 1,000 deaths, most involving elderly people.
According to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Europe has recorded more than 1,300 excess heat-related deaths since June 21.
Despite experiencing fewer hot days than many other regions, it also records the highest number of heat-related deaths per capita.
A 2007 study found that air conditioning can reduce heat-related deaths by 75%. Even so, only about 20% of European homes have air conditioning, compared with roughly 90% of homes in the United States.
Rather than expanding air conditioning, many European officials have focused on alternative strategies, including public cooling stations and other measures designed to reduce heat in densely populated historic cities.
Ine Vandecaste
