Heat, air conditioning & French politics
One of the few things from the traditional Times that has survived the Murdoch years is an obsession with France. This mainly focuses on French food being better than English (see Churchill’s Cookbook) but can sometimes divert.
With hot weather across Europe there is an article on the politics of air conditioning in France (8th July). Temperatures in France are higher than in the UK, around 40C. Fascist leader Le Pen has criticised the French Government for not doing more on air conditioning. The populist claim that while Government offices have air conditioning, austerity means the working classes have to work in heat is central. By contrast the French Greens argue that air conditioning is not climate friendly and Le Pen is really just making a climate denial point.
Figures for air conditioning across Europe are interesting (if suitably non-specific)
Italy 40% of homes
Spain 25% of homes
Britain 5% of homes
Germany 3% of homes
A Macron Minister has argued that traditional building styles, where used, make homes less susceptible to heat (thicker walls and insulation in short) while the Greens argue for shutters and fans.
Its hot, climate change is real, but high temperatures are a health issue for a range of people if air conditioning is not available…
5% Aircon maybe but we have windows