The ongoing heat wave sweeping across Europe has left many attendees of outdoor and indoor events wishing for cooler conditions. This week, Slovenia hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a medical facility near Ljubljana, held in a large tent under sweltering heat. Prime Minister Robert Golob, dressed in a formal suit, took to the stage as organizers assured guests that medical personnel were present to address any emergencies that might arise.
Challenges faced by political leaders and event attendees
Meanwhile, in Sintra, Portugal, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde opened her organization’s annual research conference with a plea for guests to stay hydrated and to avoid overloading local medical services. The discomfort caused by the heat wave is not limited to official events; tourists have also been affected, with the Eiffel Tower partially closed due to extreme temperatures and Brussels’ iconic Atomium facing similar restrictions.
Event planners across Europe have been urging people to drink plenty of water. In a creative response, journalists at last week’s European Council summit in Brussels were treated to ice creams to help them cope with the greenhouse-like conditions of the atrium. This initiative was mirrored in Belgium’s Merksplas prison, where outdated infrastructure has led to unbearable heat for inmates.
Health risks and political debate over air conditioning
The urgency of the situation is underscored by health concerns, as Slovenia is expected to see a significant number of excess deaths attributable to the heat. Portugal reached a record high temperature of 46.6 degrees Celsius this past Tuesday, while Belgium experienced an average temperature this June that was 2.6 degrees above normal, peaking at 35 degrees on Thursday.
In France, several regions are on red alert for heat, resulting in the closure of over 1,000 schools and an increased risk of wildfires. Prime Minister François Bayrou convened a crisis meeting to address these pressing issues.
Amid these challenges, a contentious debate around air conditioning has emerged. Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally has called for a national strategy to expand air conditioning access, criticizing the “so-called elites” who already benefit from it. She remarked,
“It’s crazy to tell families to stop working from one day to the next because schools can’t take our kids anymore, while telling them to go to the local movie theater, which is air-conditioned.”
Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, responded by stating that air conditioning is an “inadequate adaptation,” highlighting its role as a significant contributor to climate change. As Europe grapples with being the fastest-warming continent, the disparity in access to cooling solutions becomes glaringly evident. Carsten Schneider, Germany’s environment minister, pointed out that
“Heat makes the social imbalance particularly noticeable. Those with less money are less able to protect themselves from the effects of the heat. Those with a lot of money can afford air conditioning or a cooling garden.”
The current heat wave serves as a reminder of the pressing need for equitable solutions to combat the challenges posed by rising temperatures across the continent.