MILAN (AP) — Amidst Europe’s recent heatwave, Floriana Peroni had to shutter her vintage clothing store for an entire week. Her shop’s entrance was obstructed by a fleet of rented generators supplying power to the central Roman district, which had experienced a blackout due to soaring temperatures. The primary culprit behind this situation was the widespread use of air conditioning.
This period of extreme heat, where temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), coincided with a peak in electricity consumption that nearly matched Italy’s historical record. On July 19, the peak load surpassed 59 gigawatts, coming close to the previous high set in July 2015.
The intensive demand for electricity not only caused disruptions near the central Campo de Fiori neighborhood, where Peroni’s store is located, but also impacted other parts of Rome. During the second week of July, electricity demand surged by 30%, reflecting the prolonged heatwave that had been ongoing for several weeks, as reported by ARETI, the electricity company serving the capital.
Similar to numerous residents of Rome, Peroni herself lacks air conditioning both at her residence and her store. In the past, Rome could rely on a cooling Mediterranean breeze that would lower nighttime temperatures, yet this has now become an occasional and unreliable source of relief.
“Mostly, we resort to using fans,” Peroni explained. “We believe that suffices. We endure the heat, as it has been endured for generations.”
However, in Europe, this mindset is gradually shifting.
THE CULTURAL ACCEPTANCE OF AIR CONDITIONING IN EUROPE IS LIMITED
Despite individuals like Peroni holding on to traditional practices, the escalating global temperatures have transformed air conditioning from a luxury to a necessity in numerous parts of Europe. This region has historically maintained a complex relationship with energy-intensive cooling systems, often considering them as an American extravagance.
Europeans view heavily air-conditioned American buildings with a certain disdain, where interiors are chilled to near freezing temperatures, causing bursts of icy air to sweep across city streets as people enter and exit. Even during the peak of summer, a sweater might be required for extended indoor stays.
In contrast, European event organizers might distribute hand fans during gatherings expected to become too warm. Shoppers anticipate perspiring in inadequately cooled grocery stores, and cinemas might not guarantee a controlled climate. Diners heading out in the evening typically choose outdoor seating to avoid stifling restaurants, which frequently lack air conditioning.
To cope with high temperatures, Italy and Spain traditionally observe a post-lunch shutdown, known as a “riposo” or siesta, and many people take their vacations in August. During this time, numerous businesses close completely, allowing families to enjoy holidays by the sea or in the mountains. Italians, in particular, willingly yield overheated urban centers to foreign tourists, reducing the urgency for home air conditioning installations.
Still, the prevalence of air conditioning in Europe has risen from 10% in 2000 to 19% last year, according to the International Energy Agency. However, this figure remains significantly lower than the United States, which stands at approximately 90%. Many Europeans resist adopting air conditioning due to its cost, environmental concerns, and even suspicions of negative health effects from cold air currents, including catching colds, experiencing a stiff neck, or worse.
In Nordic countries and even in Germany, cooling systems remain uncommon, despite the fact that temperatures can occasionally rise above 30 degrees Celsius (90s Fahrenheit) for prolonged periods.
However, even these relatively moderate climates may become uncomfortable if temperatures rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius to 2 degrees Celsius, as indicated by a recent study from the University of Cambridge. In such a scenario, residents of northern regions such as Britain, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland would experience the most pronounced relative increase in uncomfortably hot days.
Nicole Miranda, one of the authors of the study, noted that their projections—surpassing the international goal of limiting future warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—are cautious in nature.
“They do not account for the urban heat island effects,” she explained, referring to situations in which cities cannot cool down at night, leading surfaces to emit heat. “From a scientific standpoint, if everyone resorts to the default solution, which is air conditioning, we could find ourselves facing a different kind of problem, given the high energy consumption and significant carbon emissions associated with air conditioning.”
Miranda suggested that cities should explore less resource-intensive alternatives, such as shading buildings and incorporating water bodies for cooling purposes. She also advocated for a shift towards cooling individuals rather than spaces, using personal devices like ice packs in clothing or advanced textiles designed to efficiently dissipate body heat.
A GROWING, YET HESITANT, DEMAND EMERGES
In Italy, the sale of air conditioning units has increased from 865,000 annually in 2012 to 1.92 million in 2022. Notably, this growth is primarily observed in the business sector rather than residential use. The industry association Assoclima reported continued growth in the first quarter of the current year. A significant portion of these units consists of split heat air pump systems, capable of both heating spaces in winter and reducing gas consumption, a particularly attractive feature as gas prices escalate due to the conflict in Ukraine. This multifunctionality appeals to consumers.
In France, a country with a slightly larger population, resistance to air conditioning remains more pronounced, with approximately 1 million units sold annually. Air conditioning was a rarity in France until a deadly heat wave in 2003 claimed thousands of lives, mainly among the elderly. Despite this, the majority of private homes and apartments in France still lack air conditioning, and numerous restaurants and businesses continue to operate without it. Establishments equipped with air conditioning often promote this feature to draw customers during hot weather.
The reluctance towards air conditioning persists, encompassing French conservatives who perceive it as an extravagant American import and individuals on the left who view it as environmentally irresponsible.
Cécile de Munck and Aude Lemonsu, meteorologists at France’s national weather service, issued a warning this summer that a doubling of the number of AC units in Paris by 2030 could result in a 2-degree Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) increase in city temperatures due to the heat released by the pump systems.
Despite concerns related to energy costs, air conditioning is making rapid inroads into Spanish homes, a country that historically leaned toward using fans and heavy blinds, which are quintessentially Spanish. A study by Ca’ Foscari University predicts that by 2040, half of Spanish households will have air conditioning, a significant rise from the mere 5% in 1990.
The introduction of cooler indoor air, however, has given rise to disputes as neighbors complain about noise generated by external AC units. This presents a challenge for Spain’s real estate managers. “Some people can’t open a window because they get a blast of hot air,” noted Pablo Abascal, president of Spain’s council of real estate managers. “As the number of AC systems in homes increases, many buildings will soon have limited space to accommodate these devices.”
Research from the University of Ottawa in Canada highlights the importance of air conditioning for older populations during extreme heat, as it reduces strain on cardiovascular functions in temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) during a heat wave. Yet, even in countries like Cyprus, where heat waves regularly reach 40 degrees Celsius, sustained AC usage isn’t financially viable for many elderly individuals with fixed incomes.
In places like Cyprus, many restrict AC usage to the hottest parts of the day, often confining themselves to a single room. Demos Antoniou, director of the Cyprus Third Age Observatory, a seniors-rights group, pointed out that this situation significantly impacts the mental well-being of the elderly population. “The prevailing fear is that not using air conditioners could potentially lead to heat stroke,” he said.
At 83 years old, Angeliki Vassiliou considers both her energy bill and future generations before she turns on the AC. “There’s no logic in squandering energy. Waste is unjust,” Vassiliou emphasized. “Waste of any resource is detrimental because of the potential consequences for our planet due to all this wastefulness.”