The wave of extreme heat across France has sparked a debate about the use of air conditioning. While far‑right leader Marine Le Pen has called for mass roll‑out of AC with state support, Green politicians have softened their traditionally hostile stance. They have admitted that at least some expansion of air conditioning could be inevitable given the changing climate.
In France, only one in four households has an air‑conditioning unit.
Air conditioning is also missing in many hospitals, where the heat has put patients at risk, and medical staff have complained that working conditions are becoming unbearable.
Air conditioning was also absent from most schools – only 14 percent of facilities had it. Many did not even have shutters, curtains or, in some cases, windows that could be opened, forcing some schools to be closed last week or have shortened teaching hours.
There are similar absences of air conditioning in care homes, even though older people (like small children) are most at risk from extreme heat.
