Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Paris at 40.9C in June, Berlin at 39.9C, Vienna at 40C. Even as big European cities have wilted in record temperatures, a technology that can make the heat more bearable — air conditioning — has somehow been entangled in culture wars.
In Germany, a political squabble has been rekindled over heat pumps, which can supply warming in winter and cooling in summer. Some on the left in France have attacked large-scale air-conditioning plans, alluding to the increased emission risks.
Much of Europe has relatively little air conditioning, but not for ideological reasons: until now, it hasn’t been needed. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and temperatures now average 2.4C higher than in the preindustrial period. The past few years have been particularly hot, and notably so in the historically cooler north. For reasons of comfort, productivity and mortality, Europe needs to get comfortable with the technology — and invest in its widespread adoption.
This year’s heat will be repeated in the years to come as the world remains dependent on burning fossil fuels, by far the largest contributor to global warming. It is exacerbated by atmospheric conditions that have created a European “heat dome” that has fuelled heatwaves and shattered records. As societies redouble efforts to combat climate change, they also need to accelerate efforts to adapt to its effects. Aircon is a crucial part of this strategy.
The benefits of air conditioning extend beyond its evident creature comforts. From Singapore to America’s sunbelt cities, air conditioning has enabled enormous economic growth in places that were previously less liveable. Studies show that very high temperatures make workers less productive. Moreover, these machines save lives: each year heat kills thousands of Europeans, especially the elderly, while comparable climates in the US show much lower death rates. Europeans would be wise to study the examples of their peers.
Widespread aircon adoption will not be easy or cheap. In the decades to come, climate adaptation will cost hundreds of billions of dollars. But steps can be taken to ameliorate the crisis.
Business owners could lead by example to keep their workers cool and productive. Governments ought to start by prioritising the most vulnerable: hospitals, schools and nursing homes — curbing unnecessary deaths and avoiding disruption to schooling are paramount. Countries could also make regulatory changes that cost nothing but allow homeowners and businesses to add more AC and retrofit older buildings.
Opponents say air conditioning exacerbates climate change, but that depends on which models are used and where the electricity comes from. Air conditioning that does not use refrigerants, a category of harmful greenhouse gases, should be prioritised.
And in terms of electricity, Europe already has a grid that is remarkably clean relative to peers — any additional power for AC systems need not come from fossil fuels. Europe is already building more wind and solar, but hot summers put further pressure on European governments to encourage the development of the clean energy sector. These investments will also have the benefit of ensuring that high energy prices will not climb higher still.
Air conditioning is only one of many climate adaptation efforts that will be needed in the years to come. More sustainable and greener cities would also do much to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. But as excess deaths from high temperatures make clear, air conditioning is not optional for Europe, but a necessity.
Credit: Source link
