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June heatwave may have killed around 20k people in Europe
24 days ago
- A preliminary estimate suggests Europe's most extreme heatwave killed between 17,000 and 25,000 people.
- The estimate used a statistical model based on past temperature-mortality data, projecting approximately 20,390 deaths during 22-28 June 2026.
- Official counts, like the WHO's report of over 1300 excess deaths, are lower due to incomplete data and delays in reporting.
- Some experts argue the model may overestimate deaths, citing improved adaptation and seasonal timing factors, proposing a lower figure around 15,000.
- Heat is highlighted as the deadliest weather hazard, with preventable deaths calling for urgent adaptation measures in health and infrastructure systems.
Europe's air conditioning culture wars heat up
22 days ago
- Record-breaking heatwave hits Europe with temperatures reaching 41.7°C (107°F) in Germany, highlighting the continent's low air conditioning adoption (only 6% of German homes have fixed AC).
- Heat-related deaths remain high in Europe (over 200,000 in the last four years according to WHO), contrasting with the US where 90% of homes use AC and heat mortality is lower.
- Political debates intensify as far-right parties like Germany's AfD and France's National Rally push for more air conditioning, accusing mainstream parties of prioritizing climate ideology over public health.
- Global cooling demand is expected to surge, with AC ownership in Southeast Asia projected to increase ninefold by 2040, raising concerns about energy use and urban heat island effects.
- Adoption varies across Europe: Italy and Spain have over 50% AC penetration, France 24% (with regional disparities), while Germany remains low due to factors like high renting rates and cultural apathy.
- Experts advocate for targeted AC use in vulnerable settings (hospitals, care homes) while promoting long-term solutions like green infrastructure, shade, and cooling centers to protect all citizens.
I Survived Europe's Heat Wave Without AC
21 days ago
- The author experienced sleepless nights due to lack of AC during Europe's heat wave, highlighting widespread suffering.
- High heat-related deaths in Europe (e.g., 3,000 in UK in 2022) due to low AC adoption in homes.
- Historical colder climates explain low AC popularity, but adaptation barriers include regulations, NIMBYism, and cultural snobbishness.
- EU energy rules, post-Ukraine crisis limits, and medical need requirements in places like Geneva restrict AC use.
- NIMBY attitudes and preservation laws hinder installations, with incidents like Portofino's crackdown on illegal AC units.
- Cultural snobbishness includes debates on AC selfishness, false health warnings, and stigma, contrasting with elite exemptions.
- AC's carbon intensity depends on energy source; nuclear-powered France still stigmatizes AC despite cleaner grids.
- Elites like the European Commission maintain AC access, revealing hypocrisy in progressive European attitudes.
Urban heat island effect in Brussels during the late June 2026 heatwave
18 days ago
- A severe heatwave in Western and Central Europe in late June 2026, driven by an 'Omega block' high-pressure system, led to extreme temperatures and alerts.
- Belgium issued a national heatwave alert on 24 June 2026, with forecasts of temperatures above 30°C and up to 38°C.
- Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite data from 24 June 2026 at 10:30 UTC shows Land Surface Temperature (LST) across Belgium, distinct from air temperature.
- Visualisation indicates higher LST in reddish/purple areas and lower in blue; Brussels exceeded 47°C LST, while the nearby Sonian Forest was around 24.5°C.
- The temperature contrast highlights the urban heat island effect, where dense urban areas retain more heat compared to vegetated areas like forests.
- Copernicus data supports evidence-based decision-making for climate adaptation, heat risk management, and sustainable urban planning.
Make Europe Cool Again
16 days ago
- Heat-related deaths in Europe have risen dramatically, with tens of thousands dying annually, far exceeding road fatalities.
- Heat pumps offer efficient, two-way climate control (cooling and heating) and reduce fossil fuel imports, but adoption in Europe is low due to cost, regulatory barriers, and perceptions.
- Air conditioning is critical public-health infrastructure that reduces heat mortality, yet European AC penetration is low compared to the US and Japan, costing lives and economic productivity.
- Ground-source heat pumps are more efficient, quiet, and long-lasting than air-source units, using stable underground temperatures, but high drilling costs and logistical challenges limit adoption.
- Transition to heat pumps should be driven by cost reductions and market forces, not mandates, as seen in solar and EV adoption, and requires correcting energy price signals that currently favor gas.
- Innovations in compact, low-cost drilling technology (e.g., FlexDrill) can scale ground-source heat pumps, creating a new industry and helping Europe achieve energy independence and global cooling solutions.
Paris is harnessing the Seine to replace air-con
15 days ago
- Paris developed a district cooling network using chilled water distributed through underground pipes to buildings, reducing reliance on individual AC units.
- The system uses cold Seine river water to absorb heat from building water via heat exchangers, returning warmer water to the river with minimal ecological impact.
- Initiated in the 1990s by Engie, the network is now operated by Fraîcheur de Paris, with plans to triple its size by 2042 to cover more buildings across the city.
- District cooling improves energy efficiency and reduces urban heat island effects compared to traditional air conditioning, though it requires high initial investment.
- Similar systems exist in cities like Stockholm and Toronto, but replication depends on factors like cooling demand density, infrastructure, geography, and costs.

climate adaptation

June heatwave may have killed around 20k people in Europe

Europe's air conditioning culture wars heat up

I Survived Europe's Heat Wave Without AC

Urban heat island effect in Brussels during the late June 2026 heatwave

Make Europe Cool Again

Paris is harnessing the Seine to replace air-con