France prepares for another heatwave

France is bracing for another heatwave, the second this year, with temperatures set to climb across the country. National weather service Meteo-France forecasts highs of 36-37 degrees Celsius in some areas on Wednesday, potentially reaching 40 degrees Celsius by Sunday, coinciding with the summer solstice and the Fete de la Musique festival.

In response to the sweltering conditions, Paris has taken the unusual step of opening a section of the Saint-Martin Canal to swimmers. This measure, supervised by lifeguards, was previously implemented last month during a week of intense heat. Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire noted the "absurdity" of expending significant resources to prevent young people from swimming in 40-degree heat. While permitting swimming, he cautioned against dangerous and prohibited activities like jumping from bridges.

“

This week, a heatwave episode will gradually begin across the country.

Alexandra Cordebard, mayor of the 10th arrondissement, described the early opening of the canal as a new approach to combating climate change and adapting urban life. Swimmers will also have designated areas in the Seine later in the summer, a practice revived last year after a century-long absence. Paris has invested over a billion euros in water purification to ensure the river's usability for the 2024 Olympic Games.

This heatwave highlights a broader trend: scientific organizations and studies indicate that heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Meteo France data shows that since 1947, France has experienced 51 heatwaves, with 34 occurring since 2000 and 26 since 2011. The United Nations has warned that global average temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels for the next four years.

“

It seemed a bit absurd to us that so much energy, municipal and national police forces, were expended to prevent young people from swimming when the heat was 40 degrees.