Source: Noahpinion
Southern European countries are experiencing record heat waves that existing infrastructure—built around the assumption of temperate summers—cannot manage. Cultural resistance to air conditioning persists: the technology is seen as wasteful, American, and antithetical to European design. Mortality and productivity losses mount regardless. European cities face a choice: modernize cooling systems or accept economic and health costs. Open windows and siestas will not solve this. The question is whether wealthy nations will invest in adaptation infrastructure or treat degradation as acceptable.