Sleepless Nights, Morning Burnout: Why Europe Still Resists Installing ACs Amid Brutal Heatwaves

Europe Heatwaves: In the early 19th century, a popular saying in France was, "Il faut souffrir pour être belle." In English, it means "One has to endure a little suffering for beauty." Europe is currently in the grip of a severe and deadly heat wave. Temperatures in many countries have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. The heat is so intense that roads are melting, train tracks are bending, and power grids are on the verge of collapse. Despite this, people in Europe shy away from installing air conditioners (ACs) in their homes.

Enduring Hardship To Preserve Beauty

Despite the intense heat, residents are reluctant to install air conditioners (ACs) in their homes and hospitals to preserve the beauty of their historic buildings and cultural heritage. Given the current heat in European cities, this phrase is no longer just a fashion statement but has become a major social reality in sweltering Europe. It is said that Europeans are extremely sensitive when it comes to preserving their historical and cultural heritage.

Don't Want To Look Like America

Experts said European city planners believe that AC boxes hanging outside buildings look extremely unattractive. Paris Deputy Mayor Audrey Pulvar said, "We don't want to be like American, Brazilian, or Italian cities, where rows of ACs line the walls, making loud noise and emitting toxic gases."

In historic cities like Paris, permission to install outdoor ACs is not easily obtained to preserve the beauty of ancient buildings (such as the Haussmann-era limestone walls).

Neighbours' Objections And 'Noise' Laws

Furthermore, installing an AC in Europe isn't just a personal decision. If you live in an apartment, you must obtain approval from neighbours and the local administration. According to French law, if your AC's noise is louder than a gentle breeze, your community can ban it.

Christophe Sanson, a lawyer specialising in noise litigation, said he now receives over 100 cases related to AC noise. Luca Funaro, a 32-year-old Parisian who suffers from a rare genetic disorder, has been begging for an AC to be installed in his home for the past two years, but neighbours reject his proposal every time, citing the "noise factor."

Concerns About The Environment And Climate Change

Europe prides itself on being at the forefront of environmental protection. Governments there believe that ACs consume too much electricity, which increases carbon emissions and contributes to global warming. Therefore, governments encourage better insulation in homes, window screens, natural ventilation, and tree planting instead of ACs.

French Environment Minister Monique Barbot said, "I'm surprised by the thinking of those who say we should install ACs everywhere. Will ACs prevent forest fires? Will they prevent crops from dying?

European Infrastructure Were Not Built For 40 Degrees

Well, aside from all this, it's worth noting that Europe has always had a history of cold weather. Its buildings and infrastructure were designed to block out the cold, not the heat. Last week, temperatures in Paris exceeded 40 degrees for only the fourth time since the 19th century.

Officials said they thought such weather would arrive after 2030, but it's already begun. Thousands of schools have had to close due to the heat, bringing back memories of the pandemic lockdowns.

(With Jagran.com Inputs)

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