Europe is engulfed in a deadly heat wave that demonstrates the danger of embracing utopian energy policies. Democrats in America should pay close attention.Temperature records are being broken across Europe. The United Kingdom experienced its hottest May on record. London went through a rare “tropical night,” defined as one when the temperature does not fall below 68 degrees. At least nine people have died in water-related incidents, as residents have sought relief from the heat.France has seen temperatures 10 degrees higher than usual, and the country perspires under a “heat dome.” Seven people have died so far in what French authorities say are heat-related deaths.
Germany, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and other European nations are also sweltering.
Europe’s suffering is largely the result of misplaced priorities. Governments spent years treating climate policy as a moral crusade but neglected to take practical investments to help people survive heatwaves: Reliable power, resilient water systems, modernized buildings, and air conditioning.
Most American homes have air conditioning, but the International Energy Agency estimates that air-conditioning ownership in Europe is around 20%. What we see as an ordinary household appliance is, during high heat, a life-saving infrastructure.
