In late June, professor and journalist Thomas Chatterton Williams returned to France from the US just as the country entered an extreme heatwave (canicule). Temperatures in some areas neared 44 degrees Celsius, leading to numerous hospitalizations for heatstroke, drownings while seeking relief in rivers and lakes, and deaths from being left in vehicles.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 175,000 people die annually in Europe from heat-related causes.
On social media platform X, American economics writer Noah Smith urged Europeans to "install air conditioning immediately to save their loved ones," while Patrick Collison, CEO of software and financial services group Stripe, argued that Europe was making excuses.
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Heatwave temperatures continuously peaked in France in summer 2026. Photo: AFP |
According to author Thomas, this disagreement stems from differing tolerance levels. Having lived in both the US and Europe, he observed that Americans tend to view heat as an infrastructure failure, whereas Europeans consider it an inevitable part of life.
In Paris, life continued, and this heatwave did not resemble the "apocalyptic" scenario described by the media. Cafes and ice cream parlors were packed. The Outdoor Music Festival (Fete de la Musique) attracted half a million participants.
Although schools closed due to a lack of temperature control systems, parents still found ways to take their children to swimming pools or museums for relief. Traditional French homes are designed to allow spaces to "breathe" naturally.
"When at home, I spray a little water on myself and drink more water. I close the metal shutters to block the midday sun and open them to welcome the breeze in the evening," Thomas said.
According to the author, the root of the debate lies in cultural differences. Americans view physical discomfort as a challenge to be immediately overcome. Conversely, many Europeans consider the excessive use of air conditioning to be wasteful. They take pride in a frugal lifestyle: conserving water when washing dishes, putting on more layers instead of turning on the heater, and clearing their plates of all food.
In Paris, authorities and residents dislike air conditioning units hanging from windows or rooftops. Installing such equipment requires special permits to preserve architectural aesthetics.
"In the US, I don't hesitate to turn on the air conditioning. But in Paris, enduring the heat without mechanical aid brings a sense of satisfaction, even nobility," Thomas stated.
Cracks are appearing within Europe. In France, Marine Le Pen's National Rally party is politicizing the air conditioning issue, turning it into a tool to criticize environmentalists, similar to how Americans once debated mask-wearing.
However, experts believe a balanced solution is necessary. Europe needs to install air conditioning in critical facilities such as: schools, public transportation, and hospitals. Last Thursday was France's hottest day on record, causing a bus driver to faint and crash into a tree. Maternity wards were overwhelmed, hundreds of thousands of poultry died, and many cities banned alcohol sales to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system.
An experience of Thomas's illustrates the limits of this habit. When he got into a taxi during the heatwave, the driver fully opened the windows, letting in hot air like a blast from a hairdryer. They drove for over 10 minutes like this before the driver had to turn on the air conditioning.
"His choice to endure the heat ultimately could not withstand reality," Thomas said.
Bao Nhien (According to Atlantic)
