Europe is facing a tough winter, as inflation and energy prices continue to rise. The continent also faces tough decisions after its scorching summer
Heat waves in Europe have broken records, sparked widespread forest fires and even damaged a busy runway at a London airport.
Unlike the United States, European countries do not rely on air conditioning to cope with high temperatures. Less than 10% of households in Europe had air conditioners in 2016, according to the International Energy Agency.
“If we looked at the start of this summer, it was pretty quiet. We typically got 20 inquiries a day, maybe for people interested in air conditioning,” said Richard Salmon, director of The Air Conditioning Co., which is based in central London.
Request air conditioners have increased in temperatures crossed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the UK.
“I’ve been here 15 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Salmon said.
While countries around the world rapidly adopt ways to cool their homes and businesses, it becomes more important to install cooling technology that does not contribute to higher temperatures in the future via carbon emissions.
“It is clear that if no effective mitigation strategy is put in place globally to reduce emissions, these types of summers and these types of events will become the new normal,” said Andrea Toreti, senior climate researcher at the European Commission. , the executive body of the EU.
Watch the video to learn more about why large parts of Europe have no air conditioning, how air conditioners contribute to climate change, and new types of efficient cooling technologies that can mitigate carbon emissions.