In recent years, Europe has continually faced severe heatwaves. The continent’s persistent reluctance to embrace air conditioning is proving deadly. A recent study highlights the severe consequences, estimating over 20,000 heat-related deaths just last week.

France, one of the most affected countries, reported over 2,000 excess deaths due to the week’s extreme temperatures. Belgium faced a similar crisis, with 1,222 heat-related deaths recorded. Meanwhile, the Netherlands saw a loss of 480 lives from the intense heat.

The cultural opposition to widespread adoption of air conditioning in Europe significantly contributes to these figures. While some individuals find alternative cooling methods, such as swimming in public canals, these measures appear insufficient given the scale of the heat’s impact.