France has recorded its hottest day on record, with temperatures in some regions exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, exposing a deep societal rift over the use of air conditioning. The divide, which cuts across political and economic lines, has been exacerbated by the government’s appeal for energy restraint amid a looming power crisis.
The heatwave, which has gripped much of western Europe, saw Paris swelter under 42.6 degrees, breaking the previous national record set in 2003. As the mercury climbed, so did the demand for cooling. Air conditioner sales surged by over 200 percent compared to last year, according to retailers. Yet the spike in usage has triggered a backlash from environmentalists who argue that air conditioning is a luxury that exacerbates climate change.
President Emmanuel Macron, addressing the nation from the Élysée Palace, urged citizens to use air conditioning “responsibly” and called for a “national effort” to reduce energy consumption. “We cannot let the heat divide us,” he said. “Cool air must not become a privilege reserved for the wealthy.”
But for many, the President’s words ring hollow. In the banlieues of Paris and Marseille, where public housing often lacks adequate insulation, residents reported indoor temperatures of over 35 degrees. “We have no air conditioning, no fans. We are left to bake,” said Fatima Diallo, a mother of three in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. “The rich can escape the heat, but for us, it is a matter of survival.”
The divide is starkly visible in the cities. In the upscale 16th arrondissement, street after street is lined with the hum of window units and the sleek gleam of split-system compressors. In the working-class 19th arrondissement, the streets are quieter. “It’s a class issue,” said Jean-Pierre Martin, a sociologist at Sciences Po. “The ability to cool your home is now a marker of social status.”
Meanwhile, across the Channel, Britain has been lauded for its planning and preparedness. The UK’s heatwave response, which includes a network of “cool rooms” in public libraries and community centres, has been held up as a model for the continent. The British government activated its “Extreme Heat Protocol” days before the temperatures peaked, issuing warnings and opening shelters. “We learned from 2003,” said a spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency. “Our planning saves lives.”
Yet even Britain faces challenges. The National Grid has warned that demand for electricity could exceed supply if the heatwave continues, raising the spectre of rolling blackouts. But for now, the contrast is clear: France is divided, Britain is prepared.
The European Commission has called for a coordinated response to heatwaves, which scientists say are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. “We need to treat heat as a public health emergency,” said a spokesperson. “No one should die because they cannot afford air conditioning.”
For France, the question is whether the current divide will deepen or dissipate as the heatwave passes. “This is not just about a few days of hot weather,” said Martin. “It is about the kind of society we want to live in.”
