Heat waves are sweeping Europe and the US, forcing a reckoning with air conditioning adoption and efficiency. The technology that keeps people cool carries environmental costs abroad, while some regions historically resistant to AC—like Vermont and parts of Europe—are reconsidering as temperatures climb.
·Europe faces extreme heat while cultural and environmental resistance to widespread air conditioning persists across the continent
·AC use in wealthy nations contributes to emissions and heat displacement that affects climate patterns in distant regions
·Heat wave survival strategies range from traditional cooling methods to expert tips on making existing AC systems more efficient
·Repair workers are overwhelmed as aging and new AC units fail or run continuously during peak temperatures
·Climate change is shifting historical attitudes toward air conditioning in traditionally cool regions like Vermont
drawn from WSJ, Futurism, ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos, WTOP · updated 9h ago