Must air conditioning also become a victim of the culture war?

The World Health Organization reports that over 200,000 people in Europe have died from heat in the past four years, with the vast majority of these deaths being preventable. While the WHO suggests measures like creating greener, cooler cities and training healthcare staff to recognize heatstroke symptoms, the organization omits any mention of air conditioning.

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The last four years, more than 200,000 people in Europe have died due to heat.

In Europe, only about one-fifth of homes have air conditioning, a stark contrast to countries like the United States and Japan where 90% of homes are equipped. Historically, Europe has not needed AC to the same extent, but with climate change intensifying and European temperature records being broken annually, this is changing. Despite the growing need, resistance to AC persists, with many Europeans viewing it as an unnecessary luxury, even in hospitals.

The debate over air conditioning has become entangled in cultural politics. Far-right politician Marine Le Pen has called for AC in all hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. More extreme groups, like Germany's AfD, argue that climate hysteria leads to more deaths due to resistance to AC. Political scientist Bjørn Lomborg also promotes air conditioning as a solution to extreme heat.

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In Europe, only about one-fifth of all homes have air conditioning, compared to 90 percent in countries like the USA and Japan.

Conversely, France's Environment Minister Monique Barbot expressed dismay at the idea of widespread AC, claiming it wouldn't save any animals from the heat, though she did not address human lives. The left-wing publication ETC criticized AC in an article that also opposed the "cultural war" framing of the climate issue. However, the necessity of reducing fossil fuel consumption does not preclude the use of air conditioning, as modern heat pumps offer a more sustainable option.

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Air conditioning has become a culture war issue.