Controversy escalates in France regarding the use of air conditioning systems
In the heart of Paris, NPR's Rebecca Rosman is reporting on a contentious issue that's causing a stir in the City of Light – the installation of air conditioning (AC) in schools and hospitals.
On one side of the debate, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right party, National Rally, passionately advocates for a nationwide plan to equip public facilities with cooling systems. She believes that air conditioning is a matter of life and death, especially during the increasingly severe heatwaves that have become common in recent years. Le Pen finds it absurd that many hospitals and schools lack air conditioning, and she calls for urgent measures to change this[1][5].
However, the French government is more cautious. While acknowledging the need for AC in some cases, they are concerned about the environmental impact of widespread installation due to the potential increase in energy consumption[5]. The Green Party shares this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of investing in better insulation, energy-efficient buildings, and urban green spaces as more sustainable long-term responses to climate change and heat exposure[1][5].
Public opinion on the issue is divided. An OpinionWay poll reveals that only about half of the French public supports AC for all public spaces like schools and hospitals[1]. Residential AC use remains relatively rare in France, with only about 25% of households equipped with air conditioning, contrasting sharply with 90% in the United States[1][3].
Some French people, like 73-year-old writer Philippe Mezescase, are mostly against the idea of more air conditioning in France. On the other hand, Peter Soderbaum, an Australian living in France, is baffled by the French debate on air conditioning. He believes the French are delaying the inevitable by not adopting AC[1].
Economist Nicolas Bouzou argues that air conditioning is not just about comfort, but also about productivity. During a heatwave in late June, 1800 schools had to close due to the lack of air conditioning, according to the government[5]. Soderbaum, like many others, copes with France's air conditioning phobia by using a fan and blackout curtains.
The divide between the left and the right in France regarding air conditioning is evident. While the left generally opposes it, the right tends to support it[1]. Marine Le Pen, for instance, has proposed installing AC units across the country if elected[1]. Meanwhile, the Ecologist Party is pushing for more investment in energy-efficient buildings as the solution to the problem[1].
The controversy over air conditioning in France is a reflection of the broader debate about how to adapt to a warming climate. As temperatures continue to rise, the question of whether to adopt air conditioning becomes increasingly pressing, and the French must navigate this debate carefully, balancing the need for comfort and safety with the need to protect the environment.
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