Paris heatwave: Slides hit 70°C as Greenpeace camera reveals city's thermal risks

Paris is struggling to cope with extreme heat, according to a new study by Greenpeace. The environmental group used a thermal camera to document the city's temperatures during a recent heatwave, revealing stark contrasts between shaded areas and exposed surfaces.

Greenpeace researchers found that while some areas under trees remained a relatively cool 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), playground slides reached a scorching 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). Asphalt surfaces also registered dangerously high temperatures, posing a risk to pedestrians and cyclists.

The findings highlight the inadequacy of the capital's infrastructure in the face of escalating global temperatures. The association warns that residents, especially children, are at risk of heat-related illnesses due to the lack of adequate cooling measures and green spaces. Greenpeace is calling for urgent action to make the city more resilient to heatwaves.