Hot and bothered Europeans finally warm to air con

Climate change is causing rising summer temperatures and record heatwaves, pushing habitable land and populations beyond the human thermoneutral zone of 17-24 degrees Celsius. Experts predict that by 2100, over 45% of Earth's land area could be uninhabitable, and 44% of the global population may experience chronic heat stress. Between 2000 and 2019, the World Health Organization recorded 489,000 heat-related deaths, with a significant portion in Asia and Europe. While cold-related deaths are currently higher, heat deaths are projected to increase, potentially making hundreds of cities unlivable. This highlights the growing necessity of space cooling solutions globally.

Europe is experiencing extreme summer heatwaves, with temperatures significantly higher than in previous decades, making these events tens to hundreds of times more likely. Experts attribute this to global warming, as Europe is warming at twice the global average. These heatwaves are causing illness, deaths, and infrastructure collapse, with the World Health Organization warning that Europe must "plan for heat like winter flu." While some damage, like glacier melt, is permanent, future outcomes depend on current emissions. The article highlights that much of Europe's housing stock is ill-suited for extreme heat, exacerbating health risks.