As France braces for another heatwave, the country is debating the use of air conditioning. With only around 24% of French households having air conditioning, many are taking matters into their own hands, with some even fighting to get their hands on air conditioning units.

Air Conditioning in France

The French have long been resistant to air conditioning, viewing it as ugly, noisy, and unnecessary. However, with the increasing frequency of heatwaves, attitudes are starting to shift. Some politicians, such as Marine Le Pen, are calling for a nationwide plan to equip every school and hospital with air conditioning.

Others, such as the Greens, are more skeptical, arguing that air conditioning contributes to climate change. However, France’s energy mix is largely low-carbon, with around 95% of its electricity coming from nuclear power, which reduces the carbon cost of running an air conditioner.

The debate has become increasingly politicized, with the government approving emergency air conditioning units for hospitals while trying not to be seen as abandoning its insulation-first approach to heat.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.