Summary of Key Points
This article focuses on the extreme heat in Europe, especially Germany, this summer, and discusses three main issues: First, the high temperatures have led to a significant number of deaths (in Germany, the death toll exceeded that of the entire previous year, with many countries in Europe also experiencing abnormal mortality rates); second, the real reasons for the low air conditioning penetration rate in Europe (it's not solely due to environmental concerns, but more so due to historical habits, cost, and rental restrictions); third, the discussions in German society about how to cope with the heat (cooling in public institutions, addressing the urban heat island effect, and changing building design), as well as the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups (the elderly and homeless) under these conditions.
1. How Serious Are the Deaths Caused by High Temperatures?
This year's heat in Europe has indeed been deadly, with the numbers being more alarming than one might expect:
- In Germany: According to reports from the authoritative German agency RKI, as of the end of June, heat-related deaths had reached 5,120, exceeding the total for the entire previous year. In just the week from June 22 to 28, 4,310 people died, with over 80% being elderly individuals aged 75 and above. This is a conservative estimate; the actual number may be even higher. The total deaths in Germany that week were 32% higher than the average for the previous four years, with most of the additional deaths being attributed to the heat.
- Across Europe: The official European monitoring platform EuroMoMo reported 10,651 abnormal deaths (deaths exceeding historical averages) in 27 countries during the same week, with France and Belgium being the most affected.
In short, the elderly are the primary victims of the heatwave, and the scale of casualties this summer far exceeds that of ordinary summers.
2. Why Is Air Conditioning So Rare in Europe?
Many people think Europeans avoid installing air conditioning for environmental reasons, but there are other practical challenges:
1. Historical Heat Waves: Before the 1990s, there were only a few days with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in Germany each year; even during hot summers in 2003 and 2018, there were only 19 to 20 such days. Air conditioning would be used infrequently. For example, the author's company installed air conditioning but used it for less than 10 days over several years.
2. High Electricity Costs: Germany has some of the highest electricity prices in Europe; in the second half of 2025, only Ireland will have higher costs. Therefore, air conditioning is unaffordable for many.
3. Rental Restrictions: Half of the population in Germany rents homes, and installing air conditioning requires drilling holes in the walls, which must be approved by the landlord. When moving out, the air conditioning has to be removed and the holes filled back in, which is very inconvenient.
4. Environmental Factors Play a Small Role: While 84% of people in France avoid air conditioning for environmental reasons, only 23% do so in Germany. Thus, environmental concerns are not the main factor.
Surprisingly, Norway, in northern Europe, has an air conditioning penetration rate of 41%, possibly due to frequent heatwaves in recent years.
3. Germans Are Focusing on Larger Issues Rather than Home Air Conditioning
After the heatwave, German media discussions focused on more critical issues rather than installing air conditioning in homes:
- Priority for Public Institutions: Nursing homes, hospitals, and schools need to be equipped with air conditioning first, as the elderly, patients, and children are the most vulnerable.
- Enhancing Urban Heat Resistance: Dense buildings, hard surfaces, and lack of green spaces exacerbate the urban heat island effect. More trees need to be planted, and hard surfaces should be reduced. The author noticed the importance of trees during their commute, experiencing cooler areas under them while other parts of the city were scorching.
- Changing Building Design: Traditional German buildings are designed for winter insulation (double-glazed windows, exterior insulation layers), but now they need to also consider heat dissipation in summer (e.g., designing well-ventilated windows and roof insulation layers).
In short, Germans believe that solving the problem of high temperatures requires addressing public facilities and urban planning rather than relying on individual home air conditioning.
4. The Most Vulnerable Groups Are Often Overlooked
High temperatures can be deadly for vulnerable groups:
- The Elderly: As mentioned earlier, over 80% of heat-related deaths were among people aged 75 and above, who have weaker bodies and struggle to regulate their body temperature without air conditioning.
- Homeless: The author cites a memoir describing the hardships faced by the homeless: food spoils quickly in summer, they can't afford sunscreen and must wear long sleeves, which leads to skin infections. They lack access to bathrooms and face discrimination due to their smell, and they often don't have health insurance. A former homeless person named Dominik started a "shower van" project, converting buses into shower facilities for them.
The author urges us to remember these people when enjoying the sun and ice cream in summer by donating water or ice cream to show some kindness.
Final Thoughts
This heatwave in Europe has made it clear that climate change is not a distant issue; it already affects people's lives. Addressing high temperatures requires more than just considering whether air conditioning is available; we also need to focus on public facilities, urban planning, and the vulnerable groups who are often overlooked. This serves as a reminder for us all: With more extreme weather events, what should we be doing in advance?