Europe Became the World Champion of Heat Deaths
6 hours ago
- #Energy Policy
- #Public Health
- #Climate Adaptation
- Europe leads the world in heat-related deaths per capita despite experiencing fewer extreme heat days than many other inhabited regions.
- A key factor is the low adoption of air conditioning (A/C), with only about 20% of European homes having it, compared to nearly 90% in the U.S. and Japan.
- Historical data shows that mass adoption of A/C in the U.S. reduced heat-related mortality by around 75% over the 20th century.
- Europe's resistance to A/C stems partly from cultural and ideological views that frame artificial cooling as a decadent indulgence, especially among progressives.
- Regulatory barriers, such as building energy ratings that penalize A/C installation and strict permit requirements, discourage widespread adoption.
- Public health guidance in Europe often overlooks A/C, emphasizing measures like drawing curtains and drinking water instead.
- The asymmetry in moral judgment between heating (widely accepted) and cooling (often criticized) highlights inconsistencies in Europe's energy use policies.
- Practical solutions include reforming energy ratings, streamlining permits, retrofitting care facilities, and expanding clean electricity grids.
- The underlying issue is a mindset that treats energy use as a sin to atone for, rather than a resource for improving lives and adapting to climate extremes.