Residents of Paris frustrated by lack of air conditioning in apartments
In the heart of France, Paris, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, is experiencing a significant shift in its approach to air conditioning. This change is largely due to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, a consequence of global warming[1][2].
Traditionally resistant to home air conditioning, largely due to cultural reasons and environmental concerns, Parisians, particularly those living in upper floors under zinc roofs where indoor temperatures can soar above 40°C, are now adopting A/C units to cope with the rising temperatures[1][2]. This shift is particularly notable among vulnerable populations like the elderly and families with children, who find the heat increasingly unbearable[1][2].
However, this trend raises considerable environmental concerns. Increased air conditioning use contributes to higher energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, potentially exacerbating urban heat island effects and leading to a projected 2°C increase in outside temperatures attributable directly to widespread private A/C installation[2]. City officials and climate experts describe this growing reliance as a “catastrophic mis-adaptation” to climate change because it treats symptoms rather than causes and aggravates warming cycles[1][2].
Attempts to introduce architectural solutions, such as modifying zinc roofs to reduce heat absorption, face resistance from heritage protection agencies prioritizing Paris’s historic building preservation over adaptive alterations for health reasons[1][2].
In response, there is advocacy for finding less harmful cooling solutions and more sustainable A/C technologies to balance comfort needs and environmental impact. Manufacturers like Daikin Europe are designing quieter and more sustainable units tailored for the local market, reflecting a broader European trend toward integrating sustainable cooling in response to extreme heat waves[3].
Marion Lafuste, a resident of northeast Paris, experienced temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) during a heatwave, and found relief inadequate with ice packs and closed shutters. Despite ideological concerns about global warming, she would have bought an A/C system if she didn't[4]. Ruben Arnold, a father of young children and the boss of a startup company, installed A/C due to the need for comfort during heatwaves, despite being aware of its climate cost[5].
The Paris Climate Agency (APC) views the increasing use of air conditioning as "very problematic"[6]. Meteo France predicts that Paris could regularly see heatwaves of up to 50°C by 2050[7].
Instead of guilt-tripping people about air conditioning, it's important to find the least harmful systems possible. Martine Bontemps, another Paris resident, finds the heat suffocating but refuses to install A/C, instead using a ceiling fan[8].
In summary, Paris is undergoing a growing acceptance of residential air conditioning driven by climate change but struggles with the environmental and heritage tensions this creates. The challenge lies in managing this transition sustainably while protecting public health as temperatures continue to rise[1][2][3][5].
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57134523 [2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/22/paris-heatwave-air-conditioning-climate-change-global-warming [3] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/paris-urban-heat-island-prompts-call-action-2021-07-14/ [4] https://www.thelocal.fr/20210723/paris-heatwave-leaves-residents-sweating-and-suffering-in-the-heat [5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57517606 [6] https://www.thelocal.fr/20210723/paris-heatwave-leaves-residents-sweating-and-suffering-in-the-heat [7] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/22/paris-heatwave-air-conditioning-climate-change-global-warming [8] https://www.thelocal.fr/20210723/paris-heatwave-leaves-residents-sweating-and-suffering-in-the-heat
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